Pyrrolobenzodiazepines and conjugates thereof

ABSTRACT

A compound with the formula I: 
                         
and salts and solvates thereof.

The present invention relates to pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), and their inclusion in targeted conjugates. The PBDs of the present invention are in a mixed dimer where one PBD moiety comprises an imine having a labile N10 group for linking to a cell binding agent and the other moiety comprises either an amine or amido group.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pyrrolobenzodiazepines

Some pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) have the ability to recognise and bond to specific sequences of DNA; the preferred sequence is PuGPu. The first PBD antitumour antibiotic, anthramycin, was discovered in 1965 (Leimgruber, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 87, 5793-5795 (1965); Leimgruber, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 87, 5791-5793 (1965)). Since then, a number of naturally occurring PBDs have been reported, and over 10 synthetic routes have been developed to a variety of analogues (Thurston, et al., Chem. Rev. 1994, 433-465 (1994)). Family members include abbeymycin (Hochlowski, et al., J. Antibiotics, 40, 145-148 (1987)), chicamycin (Konishi, et al., J. Antibiotics, 37, 200-206 (1984)), DC-81 (Japanese Patent 58-180 487; Thurston, et al., Chem. Brit., 26, 767-772 (1990); Bose, et al., Tetrahedron, 48, 751-758 (1992)), mazethramycin (Kuminoto, et al., J. Antibiotics, 33, 665-667 (1980)), neothramycins A and B (Takeuchi, et al., J. Antibiotics, 29, 93-96 (1976)), porothramycin (Tsunakawa, et al., J. Antibiotics, 41, 1366-1373 (1988)), prothracarcin (Shimizu, et al, J. Antibiotics, 29, 2492-2503 (1982); Langley and Thurston, J. Org. Chem., 52, 91-97 (1987)), sibanomicin (DC-102)(Hara, et al., J. Antibiotics, 41, 702-704 (1988); Itoh, et al., J. Antibiotics, 41, 1281-1284 (1988)), sibiromycin (Leber, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110, 2992-2993 (1988)) and tomamycin (Arima, et al., J. Antibiotics, 25, 437-444 (1972)). PBDs are of the general structure:

They differ in the number, type and position of substituents, in both their aromatic A rings and pyrrolo C rings, and in the degree of saturation of the C ring. In the B-ring there is either an imine (N═C), a carbinolamine (NH—CH(OH)), or a carbinolamine methyl ether (NH—CH(OMe)) at the N10-C11 position which is the electrophilic centre responsible for alkylating DNA. All of the known natural products have an (S)-configuration at the chiral C11a position which provides them with a right-handed twist when viewed from the C ring towards the A ring. This gives them the appropriate three-dimensional shape for isohelicity with the minor groove of B-form DNA, leading to a snug fit at the binding site (Kohn, In Antibiotics III. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 3-11 (1975); Hurley and Needham-VanDevanter, Acc. Chem. Res., 19, 230-237 (1986)). Their ability to form an adduct in the minor groove, enables them to interfere with DNA processing, hence their use as antitumour agents.

It has been previously disclosed that the biological activity of these molecules can be potentiated by joining two PBD units together through their C8/C′-hydroxyl functionalities via a flexible alkylene linker (Bose, D. S., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 114, 4939-4941 (1992); Thurston, D. E., et al., J. Org. Chem., 61, 8141-8147 (1996)). The PBD dimers are thought to form sequence-selective DNA lesions such as the palindromic 5′-Pu-GATC-Py-3′ interstrand cross-link (Smellie, M., et al., Biochemistry, 42, 8232-8239 (2003); Martin, C., et al., Biochemistry, 44, 4135-4147) which is thought to be mainly responsible for their biological activity. One example of a PBD dimmer, SG2000 (SJG-136):

has recently entered Phase II clinical trials in the oncology area (Gregson, S., et al., J. Med. Chem., 44, 737-748 (2001); Alley, M. C., et al., Cancer Research, 64, 6700-6706 (2004); Hartley, J. A., et al., Cancer Research, 64, 6693-6699 (2004)).

WO 2011/130598 discloses conjugates, and in particular, antibody conjugates comprising PBD dimers connected through the N10 position on one PBD moiety via a linker to a cell binding agent. Co-pending International application PCT/US2012/59864 filed 12 Oct. 2012, discloses PBD dimers connected through the N10 position on one PBD moiety via a sulphur containing linker to a cell binding agent.

In 2002, Kamal described the synthesis and evaluation of PBD dimers having an imine bond in one PBD and an amide group in the other PBD (Kamal, A, et al., J. Med. Chem., 2002, 4679-4688), such as:

In 2004, the described the synthesis and evaluation of PBD dimers having an imine bond in one PBD and an amine bond in the other PBD (Kamal, A, et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem., 12 (2004) 5427-5436), such as:

These compounds are unable to cross-link DNA but were shown to possess some cytotoxicity.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention comprises a compound with the formula I:

and salts and solvates thereof, wherein: when there is a double bond present between C2 and C3, R² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group comprising: halo, nitro, cyano, ether, carboxy, ester, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl; (id)

wherein each of R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R² group is no more than 5; (ie)

wherein one of R^(15a) and R^(15b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and (if)

where R¹⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2 and C3, R² is

where R^(16a) and R^(16b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(16a) and R^(16b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; when there is a double bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group comprising: halo, nitro, cyano, ether, carboxy, ester, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl; (id)

wherein each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5; (ie)

wherein one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and (if)

where R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is

where R^(26a) and R^(26b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; R⁶ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; where R and R′ are independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl and C₅₋₂₀ aryl groups; R⁷ is selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NHRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; R″ is a C₃₋₁₂ alkylene group, which chain may be interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, e.g. O, S, NR^(N2) (where R^(N2) is H or C₁₋₄ alkyl), and/or aromatic rings, e.g. benzene or pyridine; Y and Y′ are selected from O, S, or NH; R^(6′), R^(7′), R^(9′) are selected from the same groups as R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ respectively; R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H or together form ═O; R^(L) is a linker for connection to a cell binding agent; R^(11b) is selected from OH, OR^(A), where R^(A) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and SO_(z)M, where z is 2 or 3 and M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the use of a compound of the first aspect of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a proliferative disease. The second aspect also provides a compound of the first aspect of the invention for use in the treatment of a proliferative disease.

One of ordinary skill in the art is readily able to determine whether or not a candidate compound treats a proliferative condition for any particular cell type. For example, assays which may conveniently be used to assess the activity offered by a particular compound are described in the examples below.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of making a compound of the first aspect of the invention, comprising at least one of the method steps set out below.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to Conjugates comprising dimers of PBDs linked to a targeting agent, wherein the PBD dimer is a derivative of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof (supra).

In some embodiments, the Conjugates having the following formula IV: L-(R^(L)′-D)_(p)  (IV) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein L is a Ligand unit (i.e., a targeting agent), R^(L)′ is a Linker unit and D is a Drug unit that is a PBD dimer of formula I, except that R^(L′) replaces R^(L). Thus D is of formula II:

where the wavy line indicates the attachment point of R^(L′).

The subscript p in the formula IV is an integer of from 1 to 20. Accordingly, the Conjugates comprise a Ligand unit covalently linked to at least one Drug unit by a Linker unit. The Ligand unit, described more fully below, is a targeting agent that binds to a target moiety. The Ligand unit can, for example, specifically bind to a cell component (a Cell Binding Agent) or to other target molecules of interest. Accordingly, the present invention also provides methods for the treatment of, for example, various cancers and autoimmune disease. These methods encompass the use of the Conjugates wherein the Ligand unit is a targeting agent that specifically binds to a target molecule. The Ligand unit can be, for example, a protein, polypeptide or peptide, such as an antibody, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, or other binding agent, such as an Fc fusion protein.

The drug loading is represented by p, the number of drug molecules per Ligand unit (e.g., an antibody). Drug loading may range from 1 to 20 Drug units (D) per Ligand unit (e.g., Ab or mAb). For compositions, p represents the average drug loading of the Conjugates in the composition, and p ranges from 1 to 20.

A further aspect of the invention provides compounds with the formula A:

and salts and solvates thereof, where all the substituents are as defined above. Definitions Pharmaceutically Acceptable Cations

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable monovalent and divalent cations are discussed in Berge, et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 66, 1-19 (1977), which is incorporated herein by reference.

The pharmaceutically acceptable cation may be inorganic or organic.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable monovalent inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na⁺ and K⁺. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable divalent inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkaline earth cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e. NH₄ ⁺) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g. NH₃R⁺, NH₂R₂ ⁺, NHR₃ ⁺, NR₄ ⁺). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine. An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH₃)₄ ⁺.

Substituents

The phrase “optionally substituted” as used herein, pertains to a parent group which may be unsubstituted or which may be substituted.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “substituted” as used herein, pertains to a parent group which bears one or more substituents. The term “substituent” is used herein in the conventional sense and refers to a chemical moiety which is covalently attached to, or if appropriate, fused to, a parent group. A wide variety of substituents are well known, and methods for their formation and introduction into a variety of parent groups are also well known.

Examples of substituents are described in more detail below.

C₁₋₁₂ alkyl: The term “C₁₋₁₂ alkyl” as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon compound having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be aliphatic or alicyclic, and which may be saturated or unsaturated (e.g. partially unsaturated, fully unsaturated). The term “C₁₋₄ alkyl” as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon compound having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be aliphatic or alicyclic, and which may be saturated or unsaturated (e.g. partially unsaturated, fully unsaturated). Thus, the term “alkyl” includes the sub-classes alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, etc., discussed below.

Examples of saturated alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl (C₁), ethyl (C₂), propyl (C₃), butyl (C₄), pentyl (C₅), hexyl (C₆) and heptyl (C₇).

Examples of saturated linear alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl (C₁), ethyl (C₂), n-propyl (C₃), n-butyl (C₄), n-pentyl (amyl) (C₅), n-hexyl (C₆) and n-heptyl (C₇).

Examples of saturated branched alkyl groups include iso-propyl (C₃), iso-butyl (C₄), sec-butyl (C₄), tert-butyl (C₄), iso-pentyl (C₅), and neo-pentyl (C₅).

C₂₋₁₂ Alkenyl: The term “C₂₋₁₂ alkenyl” as used herein, pertains to an alkyl group having one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Examples of unsaturated alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl (vinyl, —CH═CH₂), 1-propenyl (—CH═CH—CH₃), 2-propenyl (allyl, —CH—CH═CH₂), isopropenyl (1-methylvinyl, —C(CH₃)═CH₂), butenyl (C₄), pentenyl (C₅), and hexenyl (C₆).

C₂₋₁₂ alkynyl: The term “C₂₋₁₂ alkynyl” as used herein, pertains to an alkyl group having one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds.

Examples of unsaturated alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl (—C≡CH) and 2-propynyl (propargyl, —CH₂—C≡CH).

C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl: The term “C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl” as used herein, pertains to an alkyl group which is also a cyclyl group; that is, a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from an alicyclic ring atom of a cyclic hydrocarbon (carbocyclic) compound, which moiety has from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, including from 3 to 7 ring atoms.

Examples of cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, those derived from:

Saturated Monocyclic Hydrocarbon Compounds:

cyclopropane (C₃), cyclobutane (C₄), cyclopentane (C₅), cyclohexane (C₆), cycloheptane (C₇), methylcyclopropane (C₄), dimethylcyclopropane (C₅), methylcyclobutane (C₅), dimethylcyclobutane (C₆), methylcyclopentane (C₆), dimethylcyclopentane (C₇) and methylcyclohexane (C₇);

Unsaturated Monocyclic Hydrocarbon Compounds:

cyclopropene (C₃), cyclobutene (C₄), cyclopentene (C₅), cyclohexene (C₆), methylcyclopropene (C₄), dimethylcyclopropene (C₅), methylcyclobutene (C₅), di methylcyclobutene (C₆), methylcyclopentene (C₆), dimethylcyclopentene (C₇) and methylcyclohexene (C₇); and

Saturated Polycyclic Hydrocarbon Compounds:

norcarane (C₇), norpinane (C₇), norbornane (C₇).

C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl: The term “C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl” as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from a ring atom of a heterocyclic compound, which moiety has from 3 to 20 ring atoms, of which from 1 to 10 are ring heteroatoms. Preferably, each ring has from 3 to 7 ring atoms, of which from 1 to 4 are ring heteroatoms.

In this context, the prefixes (e.g. C₃₋₂₀, C₃₋₇, C₅₋₆, etc.) denote the number of ring atoms, or range of number of ring atoms, whether carbon atoms or heteroatoms. For example, the term “C₅₋₆heterocyclyl”, as used herein, pertains to a heterocyclyl group having 5 or 6 ring atoms.

Examples of monocyclic heterocyclyl groups include, but are not limited to, those derived from:

N₁: aziridine (C₃), azetidine (C₄), pyrrolidine (tetrahydropyrrole) (C₅), pyrroline (e.g., 3-pyrroline, 2,5-dihydropyrrole) (C₅), 2H-pyrrole or 3H-pyrrole (isopyrrole, isoazole) (C₅), piperidine (C₆), dihydropyridine (C₆), tetrahydropyridine (C₆), azepine (C₇); O₁: oxirane (C₃), oxetane (C₄), oxolane (tetrahydrofuran) (C₅), oxole (dihydrofuran) (C₅), oxane (tetrahydropyran) (C₆), dihydropyran (C₆), pyran (C₆), oxepin (C₇); S₁: thiirane (C₃), thietane (C₄), thiolane (tetrahydrothiophene) (C₅), thiane (tetrahydrothiopyran) (C₆), thiepane (C₇); O₂: dioxolane (C₅), dioxane (C₆), and dioxepane (C₇); O₃: trioxane (C₆); N₂: imidazolidine (C₅), pyrazolidine (diazolidine) (C₅), imidazoline (C₅), pyrazoline (dihydropyrazole) (C₅), piperazine (CO; N₁O₁: tetrahydrooxazole (C₅), dihydrooxazole (C₅), tetrahydroisoxazole (C₅), dihydroisoxazole (C₅), morpholine (C₆), tetrahydrooxazine (C₆), dihydrooxazine (C₆), oxazine (C6); N₁S₁: thiazoline (C₅), thiazolidine (C₅), thiomorpholine (C₆); N₂O₁: oxadiazine (C₆); O₁S₁: oxathiole (C₅) and oxathiane (thioxane) (C₆); and, N₁O₁S₁: oxathiazine (C₆).

Examples of substituted monocyclic heterocyclyl groups include those derived from saccharides, in cyclic form, for example, furanoses (C₅), such as arabinofuranose, lyxofuranose, ribofuranose, and xylofuranse, and pyranoses (C₆), such as allopyranose, altropyranose, glucopyranose, mannopyranose, gulopyranose, idopyranose, galactopyranose, and talopyranose.

C₅₋₂₀ aryl: The term “C₅₋₂₀ aryl”, as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from an aromatic ring atom of an aromatic compound, which moiety has from 3 to 20 ring atoms. The term “C₅₋₇ aryl”, as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from an aromatic ring atom of an aromatic compound, which moiety has from 5 to 7 ring atoms and the term “C₅₋₁₀ aryl”, as used herein, pertains to a monovalent moiety obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from an aromatic ring atom of an aromatic compound, which moiety has from 5 to 10 ring atoms. Preferably, each ring has from 5 to 7 ring atoms.

In this context, the prefixes (e.g. C₃₋₂₀, C₅₋₇, C₅₋₆, C₅₋₁₀, etc.) denote the number of ring atoms, or range of number of ring atoms, whether carbon atoms or heteroatoms. For example, the term “C₅₋₆ aryl” as used herein, pertains to an aryl group having 5 or 6 ring atoms.

The ring atoms may be all carbon atoms, as in “carboaryl groups”.

Examples of carboaryl groups include, but are not limited to, those derived from benzene (i.e. phenyl) (C₆), naphthalene (C₁₀), azulene (C₁₀), anthracene (C₁₄), phenanthrene (C₁₄), naphthacene (C₁₈), and pyrene (C₁₆).

Examples of aryl groups which comprise fused rings, at least one of which is an aromatic ring, include, but are not limited to, groups derived from indane (e.g. 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene) (C₉), indene (C₉), isoindene (C₉), tetraline (1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (C₁₀), acenaphthene (C₁₂), fluorene (C₁₃), phenalene (C₁₃), acephenanthrene (C₁₅), and aceanthrene (C₁₆).

Alternatively, the ring atoms may include one or more heteroatoms, as in “heteroaryl groups”. Examples of monocyclic heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, those derived from:

N₁: pyrrole (azole) (C₅), pyridine (azine) (C₆);

O₁: furan (oxole) (C₅);

S₁: thiophene (thiole) (C₅);

N₁O₁: oxazole (C₅), isoxazole (C₅), isoxazine (C₆);

N₂O₁: oxadiazole (furazan) (C₅);

N₃O₁: oxatriazole (C₅);

N₁S₁: thiazole (C₅), isothiazole (C₅);

N₂: imidazole (1,3-diazole) (C₅), pyrazole (1,2-diazole) (C₅), pyridazine (1,2-diazine) (C₆), pyrimidine (1,3-diazine) (C₆) (e.g., cytosine, thymine, uracil), pyrazine (1,4-diazine) (C₆);

N₃: triazole (C₅), triazine (C₆); and,

N₄: tetrazole (C₅).

Examples of heteroaryl which comprise fused rings, include, but are not limited to:

-   -   C₉ (with 2 fused rings) derived from benzofuran (O₁),         isobenzofuran (O₁), indole (N₁), isoindole (N₁), indolizine         (N₁), indoline (N₁), isoindoline (N₁), purine (N₄) (e.g.,         adenine, guanine), benzimidazole (N₂), indazole (N₂),         benzoxazole (N₁O₁), benzisoxazole (N₁O₁), benzodioxole (O₂),         benzofurazan (N₂O₁), benzotriazole (N₃), benzothiofuran (S₁),         benzothiazole (N₁S₁), benzothiadiazole (N₂S);     -   C₁₀ (with 2 fused rings) derived from chromene (O₁), isochromene         (O₁), chroman (O₁), isochroman (O₁), benzodioxan (O₂), quinoline         (N₁), isoquinoline (N₁), quinolizine (N₁), benzoxazine (N₁O₁),         benzodiazine (N₂), pyridopyridine (N₂), quinoxaline (N₂),         quinazoline (N₂), cinnoline (N₂), phthalazine (N₂),         naphthyridine (N₂), pteridine (N₄);     -   C₁₁ (with 2 fused rings) derived from benzodiazepine (N₂);     -   C₁₃ (with 3 fused rings) derived from carbazole (N₁),         dibenzofuran (O₁), dibenzothiophene (S₁), carboline (N₂),         perimidine (N₂), pyridoindole (N₂); and,     -   C₁₄ (with 3 fused rings) derived from acridine (N₁), xanthene         (O₁), thioxanthene (S₁), oxanthrene (O₂), phenoxathiin (O₁S₁),         phenazine (N₂), phenoxazine (N₁O₁), phenothiazine (N₁S₁),         thianthrene (S₂), phenanthridine (N₁), phenanthroline (N₂),         phenazine (N₂).

The above groups, whether alone or part of another substituent, may themselves optionally be substituted with one or more groups selected from themselves and the additional substituents listed below.

Halo: —F, —Cl, —Br, and —I.

Hydroxy: —OH.

Ether: —OR, wherein R is an ether substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group (also referred to as a C₁₋₇ alkoxy group, discussed below), a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group (also referred to as a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy group), or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group (also referred to as a C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy group), preferably a C₁₋₇alkyl group.

Alkoxy: —OR, wherein R is an alkyl group, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of C₁₋₇ alkoxy groups include, but are not limited to, —OMe (methoxy), —OEt (ethoxy), —O(nPr) (n-propoxy), —O(iPr) (isopropoxy), —O(nBu) (n-butoxy), —O(sBu) (sec-butoxy), —O(iBu) (isobutoxy), and —O(tBu) (tert-butoxy).

Acetal: —CH(OR¹)(OR²), wherein R¹ and R² are independently acetal substituents, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or, in the case of a “cyclic” acetal group, R¹ and R², taken together with the two oxygen atoms to which they are attached, and the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring having from 4 to 8 ring atoms. Examples of acetal groups include, but are not limited to, —CH(OMe)₂, —CH(OEt)₂, and —CH(OMe)(OEt).

Hemiacetal: —CH(OH)(OR¹), wherein R¹ is a hemiacetal substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of hemiacetal groups include, but are not limited to, —CH(OH)(OMe) and —CH(OH)(OEt).

Ketal: —CR(OR¹)(OR²), where R¹ and R² are as defined for acetals, and R is a ketal substituent other than hydrogen, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples ketal groups include, but are not limited to, —C(Me)(OMe)₂, —C(Me)(OEt)₂, —C(Me)(OMe)(OEt), —C(Et)(OMe)₂, —C(Et)(OEt)₂, and —C(Et)(OMe)(OEt).

Hemiketal: —CR(OH)(OR¹), where R¹ is as defined for hemiacetals, and R is a hemiketal substituent other than hydrogen, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of hemiacetal groups include, but are not limited to, —C(Me)(OH)(OMe), —C(Et)(OH)(OMe), —C(Me)(OH)(OEt), and —C(Et)(OH)(OEt).

Oxo (keto, -one): ═O.

Thione (thioketone): ═S.

Imino (imine): ═NR, wherein R is an imino substituent, for example, hydrogen, C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably hydrogen or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of ester groups include, but are not limited to, ═NH, ═NMe, ═NEt, and ═NPh.

Formyl (carbaldehyde, carboxaldehyde): —C(═O)H.

Acyl (keto): —C(═O)R, wherein R is an acyl substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group (also referred to as C₁₋₇ alkylacyl or C₁₋₇ alkanoyl), a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group (also referred to as C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclylacyl), or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group (also referred to as C₅₋₂₀ arylacyl), preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of acyl groups include, but are not limited to, —C(═O)CH₃ (acetyl), —C(═O)CH₂CH₃ (propionyl), —C(═O)C(CH₃)₃ (t-butyryl), and —C(═O)Ph (benzoyl, phenone).

Carboxy (carboxylic acid): —C(═O)OH.

Thiocarboxy (thiocarboxylic acid): —C(═S)SH.

Thiolocarboxy (thiolocarboxylic acid): —C(═O)SH.

Thionocarboxy (thionocarboxylic acid): —C(═S)OH.

Imidic acid: —C(═NH)OH.

Hydroxamic acid: —C(═NOH)OH.

Ester (carboxylate, carboxylic acid ester, oxycarbonyl): —C(═O)OR, wherein R is an ester substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of ester groups include, but are not limited to, —C(═O)OCH₃, —C(═O)OCH₂CH₃, —C(═O)OC(CH₃)₃, and —C(═O)OPh.

Acyloxy (reverse ester): —OC(═O)R, wherein R is an acyloxy substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of acyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, —OC(═O)CH₃ (acetoxy), —OC(═O)CH₂CH₃, —OC(═O)C(CH₃)₃, —OC(═O)Ph, and —OC(═O)CH₂Ph.

Oxycarboyloxy: —OC(═O)OR, wherein R is an ester substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of ester groups include, but are not limited to, —OC(═O)OCH₃, —OC(═O)OCH₂CH₃, —OC(═O)OC(CH₃)₃, and —OC(═O)OPh.

Amino: —NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, for example, hydrogen, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group (also referred to as C₁₋₇ alkylamino or di-C₁₋₇ alkylamino), a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably H or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or, in the case of a “cyclic” amino group, R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring having from 4 to 8 ring atoms. Amino groups may be primary (—NH₂), secondary (—NHR¹), or tertiary (—NHR¹R²), and in cationic form, may be quaternary (—⁺NR¹R²R³). Examples of amino groups include, but are not limited to, —NH₂, —NHCH₃, —NHC(CH₃)₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(CH₂CH₃)₂, and —NHPh. Examples of cyclic amino groups include, but are not limited to, aziridino, azetidino, pyrrolidino, piperidino, piperazino, morpholino, and thiomorpholino.

Amido (carbamoyl, carbamyl, aminocarbonyl, carboxamide): —C(═O)NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups. Examples of amido groups include, but are not limited to, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NHCH₃, —C(═O)N(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)NHCH₂CH₃, and —C(═O)N(CH₂CH₃)₂, as well as amido groups in which R¹ and R², together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic structure as in, for example, piperidinocarbonyl, morpholinocarbonyl, thiomorpholinocarbonyl, and piperazinocarbonyl.

Thioamido (thiocarbamyl): —C(═S)NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups. Examples of amido groups include, but are not limited to, —C(═S)NH₂, —C(═S)NHCH₃, —C(═S)N(CH₃)₂, and —C(═S)NHCH₂CH₃.

Acylamido (acylamino): —NR¹C(═O)R², wherein R¹ is an amide substituent, for example, hydrogen, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably hydrogen or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, and R² is an acyl substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀aryl group, preferably hydrogen or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of acylamide groups include, but are not limited to, —NHC(═O)CH₃, —NHC(═O)CH₂CH₃, and —NHC(═O)Ph. R¹ and R² may together form a cyclic structure, as in, for example, succinimidyl, maleimidyl, and phthalimidyl:

Aminocarbonyloxy: —OC(═O)NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups. Examples of aminocarbonyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NHMe, —OC(═O)NMe₂, and —OC(═O)NEt₂.

Ureido: —N(R¹)CONR²R³ wherein R² and R³ are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups, and R¹ is a ureido substituent, for example, hydrogen, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably hydrogen or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of ureido groups include, but are not limited to, —NHCONH₂, —NHCONHMe, —NHCONHEt, —NHCONMe₂, —NHCONEt₂, —NMeCONH₂, —NMeCONHMe, —NMeCONHEt, —NMeCONMe₂, and —NMeCONEt₂.

Guanidino: —NH—C(═NH)NH₂.

Tetrazolyl: a five membered aromatic ring having four nitrogen atoms and one carbon atom,

Imino: ═NR, wherein R is an imino substituent, for example, for example, hydrogen, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably H or a C₁₋₇alkyl group. Examples of imino groups include, but are not limited to, ═NH, ═NMe, and ═NEt.

Amidine (amidino): —C(═NR)NR₂, wherein each R is an amidine substituent, for example, hydrogen, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably H or a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of amidine groups include, but are not limited to, —C(═NH)NH₂, —C(═NH)NMe₂, and —C(═NMe)NMe₂.

Nitro: —NO₂.

Nitroso: —NO.

Azido: —N₃.

Cyano (nitrile, carbonitrile): —CN.

Isocyano: —NC.

Cyanato: —OCN.

Isocyanato: —NCO.

Thiocyano (thiocyanato): —SCN.

Isothiocyano (isothiocyanato): —NCS.

Sulfhydryl (thiol, mercapto): —SH.

Thioether (sulfide): —SR, wherein R is a thioether substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group (also referred to as a C₁₋₇alkylthio group), a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of C₁₋₇ alkylthio groups include, but are not limited to, —SCH₃ and —SCH₂CH₃.

Disulfide: —SS—R, wherein R is a disulfide substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group (also referred to herein as C₁₋₇ alkyl disulfide). Examples of C₁₋₇ alkyl disulfide groups include, but are not limited to, —SSCH₃ and —SSCH₂CH₃.

Sulfine (sulfinyl, sulfoxide): —S(═O)R, wherein R is a sulfine substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfine groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)CH₃ and —S(═O)CH₂CH₃.

Sulfone (sulfonyl): —S(═O)₂R, wherein R is a sulfone substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, including, for example, a fluorinated or perfluorinated C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfone groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)₂CH₃ (methanesulfonyl, mesyl), —S(═O)₂CF₃ (triflyl), —S(═O)₂CH₂CH₃ (esyl), —S(═O)₂C₄F₉ (nonaflyl), —S(═O)₂CH₂CF₃ (tresyl), —S(═O)₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ (tauryl), —S(═O)₂Ph (phenylsulfonyl, besyl), 4-methylphenylsulfonyl (tosyl), 4-chlorophenylsulfonyl (closyl), 4-bromophenylsulfonyl (brosyl), 4-nitrophenyl (nosyl), 2-naphthalenesulfonate (napsyl), and 5-dimethylamino-naphthalen-1-ylsulfonate (dansyl).

Sulfinic acid (sulfino): —S(═O)OH, —SO₂H.

Sulfonic acid (sulfo): —S(═O)₂OH, —SO₃H.

Sulfinate (sulfinic acid ester): —S(═O)OR; wherein R is a sulfinate substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfinate groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)OCH₃ (methoxysulfinyl; methyl sulfinate) and —S(═O)OCH₂CH₃ (ethoxysulfinyl; ethyl sulfinate).

Sulfonate (sulfonic acid ester): —S(═O)₂OR, wherein R is a sulfonate substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfonate groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)₂OCH₃ (methoxysulfonyl; methyl sulfonate) and —S(═O)₂OCH₂CH₃ (ethoxysulfonyl; ethyl sulfonate).

Sulfinyloxy: —OS(═O)R, wherein R is a sulfinyloxy substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfinyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, —OS(═O)CH₃ and —OS(═O)CH₂CH₃.

Sulfonyloxy: —OS(═O)₂R, wherein R is a sulfonyloxy substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfonyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, —OS(═O)₂CH₃ (mesylate) and —OS(═O)₂CH₂CH₃ (esylate).

Sulfate: —OS(═O)₂OR; wherein R is a sulfate substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfate groups include, but are not limited to, —OS(═O)₂OCH₃ and —SO(═O)₂OCH₂CH₃.

Sulfamyl (sulfamoyl; sulfinic acid amide; sulfinamide): —S(═O)NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups. Examples of sulfamyl groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)NH₂, —S(═O)NH(CH₃), —S(═O)N(CH₃)₂, —S(═O)NH(CH₂CH₃), —S(═O)N(CH₂CH₃)₂, and —S(═O)NHPh.

Sulfonamido (sulfinamoyl; sulfonic acid amide; sulfonamide): —S(═O)₂NR¹R², wherein R¹ and R² are independently amino substituents, as defined for amino groups. Examples of sulfonamido groups include, but are not limited to, —S(═O)₂NH₂, —S(═O)₂NH(CH₃), —S(═O)₂N(CH₃)₂, —S(═O)₂NH(CH₂CH₃), —S(═O)₂N(CH₂CH₃)₂, and —S(═O)₂NHPh.

Sulfamino: —NR¹S(═O)₂OH, wherein R¹ is an amino substituent, as defined for amino groups. Examples of sulfamino groups include, but are not limited to, —NHS(═O)₂OH and —N(CH₃)S(═O)₂OH.

Sulfonamino: —NR¹S(═O)₂R, wherein R¹ is an amino substituent, as defined for amino groups, and R is a sulfonamino substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfonamino groups include, but are not limited to, —NHS(═O)₂CH₃ and —N(CH₃)S(═O)₂C₆H₅.

Sulfinamino: —NR¹S(═O)R, wherein R¹ is an amino substituent, as defined for amino groups, and R is a sulfinamino substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group. Examples of sulfinamino groups include, but are not limited to, —NHS(═O)CH₃ and —N(CH₃)S(═O)C₆H₅.

Phosphino (phosphine): —PR₂, wherein R is a phosphino substituent, for example, —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphino groups include, but are not limited to, —PH₂, —P(CH₃)₂, —P(CH₂CH₃)₂, —P(t-Bu)₂, and —P(Ph)₂.

Phospho: —P(═O)₂.

Phosphinyl (phosphine oxide): —P(═O)R₂, wherein R is a phosphinyl substituent, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably a C₁₋₇ alkyl group or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphinyl groups include, but are not limited to, —P(═O)(CH₃)₂, —P(═O)(CH₂CH₃)₂, —P(═O)(t-Bu)₂, and —P(═O)(Ph)₂.

Phosphonic acid (phosphono): —P(═O)(OH)₂.

Phosphonate (phosphono ester): —P(═O)(OR)₂, where R is a phosphonate substituent, for example, —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphonate groups include, but are not limited to, —P(═O)(OCH₃)₂, —P(═O)(OCH₂CH₃)₂, —P(═O)(O-t-Bu)₂, and —P(═O)(OPh)₂.

Phosphoric acid (phosphonooxy): —OP(═O)(OH)₂.

Phosphate (phosphonooxy ester): —OP(═O)(OR)₂, where R is a phosphate substituent, for example, —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphate groups include, but are not limited to, —OP(═O)(OCH₃)₂, —OP(═O)(OCH₂CH₃)₂, —OP(═O)(O-t-Bu)₂, and —OP(═O)(OPh)₂.

Phosphorous acid: —OP(OH)₂.

Phosphite: —OP(OR)₂, where R is a phosphite substituent, for example, —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphite groups include, but are not limited to, —OP(OCH₃)₂, —OP(OCH₂CH₃)₂, —OP(O-t-Bu)₂, and —OP(OPh)₂.

Phosphoramidite: —OP(OR¹)—NR² ₂, where R¹ and R² are phosphoramidite substituents, for example, —H, a (optionally substituted) C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphoramidite groups include, but are not limited to, —OP(OCH₂CH₃)—N(CH₃)₂, —OP(OCH₂CH₃)—N(i-Pr)₂, and —OP(OCH₂CH₂CN)—N(i-Pr)₂.

Phosphoramidate: —OP(═O)(OR¹)—NR² ₂, where R¹ and R² are phosphoramidate substituents, for example, —H, a (optionally substituted) C₁₋₇ alkyl group, a C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group, preferably —H, a C₁₋₇ alkyl group, or a C₅₋₂₀ aryl group. Examples of phosphoramidate groups include, but are not limited to, —OP(═O)(OCH₂CH₃)—N(CH₃)₂, —OP(═O)(OCH₂CH₃)—N(i-Pr)₂, and —OP(═O)(OCH₂CH₂CN)—N(i-Pr)₂.

Alkylene

C₃₋₁₂ alkylene: The term “C₃₋₁₂ alkylene”, as used herein, pertains to a bidentate moiety obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms, either both from the same carbon atom, or one from each of two different carbon atoms, of a hydrocarbon compound having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms (unless otherwise specified), which may be aliphatic or alicyclic, and which may be saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated. Thus, the term “alkylene” includes the sub-classes alkenylene, alkynylene, cycloalkylene, etc., discussed below.

Examples of linear saturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups include, but are not limited to, —(CH₂)_(n)— where n is an integer from 3 to 12, for example, —CH₂CH₂CH₂— (propylene), —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— (butylene), —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— (pentylene) and —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH—₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— (heptylene).

Examples of branched saturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups include, but are not limited to, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₂CH₃)—, —CH(CH₂CH₃)CH₂—, and —CH₂CH(CH₂CH₃)CH₂—.

Examples of linear partially unsaturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups (C₃₋₁₂ alkenylene, and alkynylene groups) include, but are not limited to, —CH═CH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—CH═CH—, and —CH₂—C≡C—CH₂—.

Examples of branched partially unsaturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups (C₃₋₁₂alkenylene and alkynylene groups) include, but are not limited to, —C(CH₃)═CH—, —C(CH₃)═CH—CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH(CH₃)— and —C≡C—CH(CH₃)—.

Examples of alicyclic saturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups (C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkylenes) include, but are not limited to, cyclopentylene (e.g. cyclopent-1,3-ylene), and cyclohexylene (e.g. cyclohex-1,4-ylene).

Examples of alicyclic partially unsaturated C₃₋₁₂ alkylene groups (C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkylenes) include, but are not limited to, cyclopentenylene (e.g. 4-cyclopenten-1,3-ylene), cyclohexenylene (e.g. 2-cyclohexen-1,4-ylene; 3-cyclohexen-1,2-ylene; 2,5-cyclohexadien-1,4-ylene).

Carbamate nitrogen protecting group: the term “carbamate nitrogen protecting group” pertains to a moiety which masks the nitrogen in the imine bond, and these are well known in the art. These groups have the following structure:

wherein R′¹⁰ is R as defined above. A large number of suitable groups are described on pages 503 to 549 of Greene, T. W. and Wuts, G. M., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Hemi-aminal nitrogen protecting group: the term “hemi-aminal nitrogen protecting group” pertains to a group having the following structure:

wherein R′¹⁰ is R as defined above. A large number of suitable groups are described on pages 633 to 647 as amide protecting groups of Greene, T. W. and Wuts, G. M., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The groups Carbamate nitrogen protecting group and Hemi-aminal nitrogen protecting group may be jointly termed a “nitrogen protecting group for synthesis”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a conjugate comprising a PBD compound connected through the N10 position via a linker to a cell binding agent. In one embodiment, the conjugate comprises a cell binding agent (also termed “ligand unit”) connected to a spacer connecting group, the spacer connected to a trigger, the trigger connected to a self-immolative linker, and the self-immolative linker connected to the N10 position of the PBD compound. Such a conjugate is illustrated below:

where CBA is a cell binding agent (also termed “ligand unit”) and PBD is a pyrrolobenzodiazepine compound, as described herein. The illustration shows the portions that correspond to R^(L′), A, L¹ and L² in certain embodiments of the invention.

The present invention is suitable for use in providing a PBD compound to a preferred site in a subject. In the preferred embodiments, the conjugate allows the release of an active PBD compound that does not retain any part of the linker. There is no stub present that could affect the reactivity of the PBD compound.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides conjugates comprising a PBD dimer group having a linker connected to a cell binding agent. The present inventors describe herein methods of synthesis that enable such dimer conjugates to be prepared by the use of novel PBD desymmetrisation techniques.

This application is particularly concerned with those R^(L) groups which have a carbamate link to the N10 position.

The linker attaches the Cell Binding Agent (CBA/L), e.g. antibody, to the PBD drug moiety D through covalent bond(s). The linker is a bifunctional or multifunctional moiety which can be used to link one or more drug moiety (D) and an antibody unit (Ab) to form antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). The linker (R^(L′)) may be stable outside a cell, i.e. extracellular, or it may be cleavable by enzymatic activity, hydrolysis, or other metabolic conditions. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) can be conveniently prepared using a linker having reactive functionality for binding to the drug moiety and to the antibody. A cysteine thiol, or an amine, e.g. N-terminus or amino acid side chain such as lysine, of the antibody (Ab) can form a bond with a functional group of a linker or spacer reagent, PBD drug moiety (D) or drug-linker reagent (D-R^(L)).

Many functional groups on the linker attached to the N10 position of the PBD moiety may be useful to react with the cell binding agent. For example, ester, thioester, amide, thioamide, carbamate, thiocarbamate, urea, thiourea, ether, thioether, or disulfide linkages may be formed from reaction of the linker-PBD drug intermediates and the cell binding agent. The linkers of the ADC preferably prevent aggregation of ADC molecules and keep the ADC freely soluble in aqueous media and in a monomeric state.

The linkers of the ADC are preferably stable extracellularly. Before transport or delivery into a cell, the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is preferably stable and remains intact, i.e. the antibody remains linked to the drug moiety. The linkers are stable outside the target cell and may be cleaved at some efficacious rate inside the cell. An effective linker will: (i) maintain the specific binding properties of the antibody; (ii) allow intracellular delivery of the conjugate or drug moiety; (iii) remain stable and intact, i.e. not cleaved, until the conjugate has been delivered or transported to its targeted site; and (iv) maintain a cytotoxic, cell-killing effect or a cytostatic effect of the PBD drug moiety. Stability of the ADC may be measured by standard analytical techniques such as mass spectroscopy, HPLC, and the separation/analysis technique LC/MS.

Covalent attachment of the antibody and the drug moiety requires the linker to have two reactive functional groups, i.e. bivalency in a reactive sense. Bivalent linker reagents which are useful to attach two or more functional or biologically active moieties, such as peptides, nucleic acids, drugs, toxins, antibodies, haptens, and reporter groups are known, and methods have been described their resulting conjugates (Hermanson, G. T. (1996) Bioconjugate Techniques; Academic Press: New York, p 234-242).

In another embodiment, the linker may be substituted with groups which modulate aggregation, solubility or reactivity. For example, a sulfonate substituent may increase water solubility of the reagent and facilitate the coupling reaction of the linker reagent with the antibody or the drug moiety, or facilitate the coupling reaction of Ab-L with D, or D-L with Ab, depending on the synthetic route employed to prepare the ADC.

In one embodiment, L-R^(L′) is a group:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, CBA is a cell binding agent (L), L¹ is a linker, A is         a connecting group connecting L¹ to the cell binding agent, L²         is a covalent bond or together with —OC(═O)— forms a         self-immolative linker, and L¹ or L² is a cleavable linker.

L¹ is preferably the cleavable linker, and may be referred to as a trigger for activation of the linker for cleavage.

The nature of L¹ and L², where present, can vary widely. These groups are chosen on the basis of their cleavage characteristics, which may be dictated by the conditions at the site to which the conjugate is delivered. Those linkers that are cleaved by the action of enzymes are preferred, although linkers that are cleavable by changes in pH (e.g. acid or base labile), temperature or upon irradiation (e.g. photolabile) may also be used. Linkers that are cleavable under reducing or oxidising conditions may also find use in the present invention.

L¹ may comprise a contiguous sequence of amino acids. The amino acid sequence may be the target substrate for enzymatic cleavage, thereby allowing release of L-R^(L′) from the N10 position.

In one embodiment, L¹ is cleavable by the action of an enzyme. In one embodiment, the enzyme is an esterase or a peptidase.

In one embodiment, L² is present and together with —C(═O)O— forms a self-immolative linker. In one embodiment, L² is a substrate for enzymatic activity, thereby allowing release of L-R^(L′) from the N10 position.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is cleavable by the action of an enzyme and L² is present, the enzyme cleaves the bond between L¹ and L².

L¹ and L², where present, may be connected by a bond selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)O—,     -   —OC(═O)NH—, and     -   —NHC(═O)NH—.

An amino group of L¹ that connects to L² may be the N-terminus of an amino acid or may be derived from an amino group of an amino acid side chain, for example a lysine amino acid side chain.

A carboxyl group of L¹ that connects to L² may be the C-terminus of an amino acid or may be derived from a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, for example a glutamic acid amino acid side chain.

A hydroxyl group of L¹ that connects to L² may be derived from a hydroxyl group of an amino acid side chain, for example a serine amino acid side chain.

The term “amino acid side chain” includes those groups found in: (i) naturally occurring amino acids such as alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine; (ii) minor amino acids such as ornithine and citrulline; (iii) unnatural amino acids, beta-amino acids, synthetic analogs and derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids; and (iv) all enantiomers, diastereomers, isomerically enriched, isotopically labelled (e.g. ²H, ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N), protected forms, and racemic mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, —C(═O)O— and L² together form the group:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the         linker L¹, Y is —N(H)—, —O—, —C(═O)N(H)— or —C(═O)O—, and n is 0         to 3. The phenylene ring is optionally substituted with one, two         or three substituents as described herein. In one embodiment,         the phenylene group is optionally substituted with halo, NO₂, R         or OR.

In one embodiment, Y is NH.

In one embodiment, n is 0 or 1. Preferably, n is 0.

Where Y is NH and n is 0, the self-immolative linker may be referred to as a p-aminobenzylcarbonyl linker (PABC).

The self-immolative linker will allow for release of the protected compound when a remote site is activated, proceeding along the lines shown below (for n=0):

-   -   where L* is the activated form of the remaining portion of the         linker. These groups have the advantage of separating the site         of activation from the compound being protected. As described         above, the phenylene group may be optionally substituted.

In one embodiment described herein, the group L* is a linker L¹ as described herein, which may include a dipeptide group.

In another embodiment, —C(═O)O— and L² together form a group selected from:

-   -   where the asterisk, the wavy line, Y, and n are as defined         above. Each phenylene ring is optionally substituted with one,         two or three substituents as described herein. In one         embodiment, the phenylene ring having the Y substituent is         optionally substituted and the phenylene ring not having the Y         substituent is unsubstituted. In one embodiment, the phenylene         ring having the Y substituent is unsubstituted and the phenylene         ring not having the Y substituent is optionally substituted.

In another embodiment, —C(═O)O— and L² together form a group selected from:

-   -   where the asterisk, the wavy line, Y, and n are as defined         above, E is O, S or NR, D is N, CH, or CR, and F is N, CH, or         CR.

In one embodiment, D is N.

In one embodiment, D is CH.

In one embodiment, E is O or S.

In one embodiment, F is CH.

In a preferred embodiment, the linker is a cathepsin labile linker.

In one embodiment, L¹ comprises a dipeptide The dipeptide may be represented as —NH—X₁—X₂—CO—, where —NH— and —CO— represent the N- and C-terminals of the amino acid groups X₁ and X₂ respectively. The amino acids in the dipeptide may be any combination of natural amino acids. Where the linker is a cathepsin labile linker, the dipeptide may be the site of action for cathepsin-mediated cleavage.

Additionally, for those amino acids groups having carboxyl or amino side chain functionality, for example Glu and Lys respectively, CO and NH may represent that side chain functionality.

In one embodiment, the group —X₁—X₂— in dipeptide, —NH—X₁—X₂—CO—, is selected from:

-   -   -Phe-Lys-,     -   -Val-Ala-,     -   -Val-Lys-,     -   -Ala-Lys-,     -   -Val-Cit-,     -   -Phe-Cit-,     -   -Leu-Cit-,     -   -Ile-Cit-,     -   -Phe-Arg-,     -   -Trp-Cit-         where Cit is citrulline.

Preferably, the group —X₁—X₂— in dipeptide, —NH—X₁—X₂—CO—, is selected from:

-   -   -Phe-Lys-,     -   -Val-Ala-,     -   -Val-Lys-,     -   -Ala-Lys-,     -   -Val-Cit-.

Most preferably, the group —X₁—X₂— in dipeptide, —NH—X₁—X₂—CO—, is -Phe-Lys- or -Val-Ala-.

Other dipeptide combinations may be used, including those described by Dubowchik et al., Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2002, 13, 855-869, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the amino acid side chain is derivatised, where appropriate. For example, an amino group or carboxy group of an amino acid side chain may be derivatised.

In one embodiment, an amino group NH₂ of a side chain amino acid, such as lysine, is a derivatised form selected from the group consisting of NHR and NRR′.

In one embodiment, a carboxy group COOH of a side chain amino acid, such as aspartic acid, is a derivatised form selected from the group consisting of COOR, CONH₂, CONHR and CONRR′.

In one embodiment, the amino acid side chain is chemically protected, where appropriate. The side chain protecting group may be a group as discussed below in relation to the group R^(L). The present inventors have established that protected amino acid sequences are cleavable by enzymes. For example, it has been established that a dipeptide sequence comprising a Boc side chain-protected Lys residue is cleavable by cathepsin.

Protecting groups for the side chains of amino acids are well known in the art and are described in the Novabiochem Catalog. Additional protecting group strategies are set out in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Greene and Wuts.

Possible side chain protecting groups are shown below for those amino acids having reactive side chain functionality:

-   -   Arg: Z, Mtr, Tos;     -   Asn: Trt, Xan;     -   Asp: Bzl, t-Bu;     -   Cys: Acm, Bzl, Bzl-OMe, Bzl-Me, Trt;     -   Glu: Bzl, t-Bu;     -   Gln: Trt, Xan;     -   His: Boc, Dnp, Tos, Trt;     -   Lys: Boc, Z—Cl, Fmoc, Z, Alloc;     -   Ser: Bzl, TBDMS, TBDPS;     -   Thr: Bz;     -   Trp: Boc;     -   Tyr: Bzl, Z, Z—Br.

In one embodiment, the side chain protection is selected to be orthogonal to a group provided as, or as part of, a capping group, where present. Thus, the removal of the side chain protecting group does not remove the capping group, or any protecting group functionality that is part of the capping group.

In other embodiments of the invention, the amino acids selected are those having no reactive side chain functionality. For example, the amino acids may be selected from: Ala, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, and Val.

In one embodiment, the dipeptide is used in combination with a self-immolative linker. The self-immolative linker may be connected to —X₂—.

Where a self-immolative linker is present, —X₂— is connected directly to the self-immolative linker. Preferably the group —X₂—CO— is connected to Y, where Y is NH, thereby forming the group —X₂—CO—NH—.

—NH—X₁— is connected directly to A. A may comprise the functionality —CO— thereby to form an amide link with —X₁—.

In one embodiment, L¹ and L² together with —OC(═O)— comprise the group NH—X₁—X₂—CO-PABC-. The PABC group is connected directly to the N10 position. Preferably, the self-immolative linker and the dipeptide together form the group —NH-Phe-Lys-CO—NH-PABC-, which is illustrated below:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, and the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to         the remaining portion of the linker L¹ or the point of         attachment to A. Preferably, the wavy line indicates the point         of attachment to A. The side chain of the Lys amino acid may be         protected, for example, with Boc, Fmoc, or Alloc, as described         above.

Alternatively, the self-immolative linker and the dipeptide together form the group —NH-Val-Ala-CO—NH-PABC-, which is illustrated below:

-   -   where the asterisk and the wavy line are as defined above.

Alternatively, the self-immolative linker and the dipeptide together form the group —NH-Val-Cit-CO—NH-PABC-, which is illustrated below:

-   -   where the asterisk and the wavy line are as defined above.

In one embodiment, A is a covalent bond. Thus, L¹ and the cell binding agent are directly connected. For example, where L¹ comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence, the N-terminus of the sequence may connect directly to the cell binding agent.

Thus, where A is a covalent bond, the connection between the cell binding agent and L¹ may be selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)O—,     -   —OC(═O)NH—,     -   —NHC(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)NHC(═O)—,     -   —S—,     -   —S—S—,     -   —CH₂C(═O)—, and     -   ═N—NH—.

An amino group of L¹ that connects to the cell binding agent may be the N-terminus of an amino acid or may be derived from an amino group of an amino acid side chain, for example a lysine amino acid side chain.

An carboxyl group of L¹ that connects to the cell binding agent may be the C-terminus of an amino acid or may be derived from a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, for example a glutamic acid amino acid side chain.

A hydroxyl group of L¹ that connects to the cell binding agent may be derived from a hydroxyl group of an amino acid side chain, for example a serine amino acid side chain.

A thiol group of L¹ that connects to the cell binding agent may be derived from a thiol group of an amino acid side chain, for example a serine amino acid side chain.

The comments above in relation to the amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and thiol groups of L¹ also apply to the cell binding agent.

In one embodiment, L² together with —OC(═O)— represents:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to L¹,         n is 0 to 3, Y is a covalent bond or a functional group, and E         is an activatable group, for example by enzymatic action or         light, thereby to generate a self-immolative unit. The phenylene         ring is optionally further substituted with one, two or three         substituents as described herein. In one embodiment, the         phenylene group is optionally further substituted with halo,         NO₂, R or OR. Preferably n is 0 or 1, most preferably 0.

E is selected such that the group is susceptible to activation, e.g. by light or by the action of an enzyme. E may be —NO₂ or glucoronic acid. The former may be susceptible to the action of a nitroreductase, the latter to the action of a β-glucoronidase.

In this embodiment, the self-immolative linker will allow for release of the protected compound when E is activated, proceeding along the lines shown below (for n=0):

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, E* is the activated form of E, and Y is as described         above. These groups have the advantage of separating the site of         activation from the compound being protected. As described         above, the phenylene group may be optionally further         substituted.

The group Y may be a covalent bond to L¹.

The group Y may be a functional group selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)—     -   —NH—     -   —O—     -   —C(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)O—,     -   —OC(═O)NH—,     -   —NHC(═O)NH—,     -   —NHC(═O)NH,     -   —C(═O)NHC(═O)—, and     -   —S—.

Where L¹ is a dipeptide, it is preferred that Y is —NH— or —C(═O)—, thereby to form an amide bond between L¹ and Y. In this embodiment, the dipeptide sequence need not be a substrate for an enzymatic activity.

In another embodiment, A is a spacer group. Thus, L¹ and the cell binding agent are indirectly connected.

L¹ and A may be connected by a bond selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)O—,     -   —OC(═O)NH—, and     -   —NHC(═O)NH—.

In one embodiment, the group A is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the         wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding         agent, and n is 0 to 6. In one embodiment, n is 5.

In one embodiment, the group A is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the         wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding         agent, and n is 0 to 6. In one embodiment, n is 5.

In one embodiment, the group A is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the         wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding         agent, n is 0 or 1, and m is 0 to 30. In a preferred embodiment,         n is 1 and m is 0 to 10, 1 to 8, preferably 4 to 8, and most         preferably 4 or 8. In another embodiment, m is 10 to 30, and         preferably 20 to 30. Alternatively, m is 0 to 50. In this         embodiment, m is preferably 10-40 and n is 1.

In one embodiment, the group A is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the         wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding         agent, n is 0 or 1, and m is 0 to 30. In a preferred embodiment,         n is 1 and m is 0 to 10, 1 to 8, preferably 4 to 8, and most         preferably 4 or 8. In another embodiment, m is 10 to 30, and         preferably 20 to 30. Alternatively, m is 0 to 50. In this         embodiment, m is preferably 10-40 and n is 1.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and A is through a thiol residue of the cell binding agent and a maleimide group of A.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and A is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the         remaining portion of A and the wavy line indicates the point of         attachment to the remaining portion of the cell binding agent.         In this embodiment, the S atom is typically derived from the         cell binding agent.

In each of the embodiments above, an alternative functionality may be used in place of the maleimide-derived group shown below:

-   -   where the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the         cell binding agent as before, and the asterisk indicates the         bond to the remaining portion of the A group.

In one embodiment, the maleimide-derived group is replaced with the group:

-   -   where the wavy line indicates point of attachment to the cell         binding agent, and the asterisk indicates the bond to the         remaining portion of the A group.

In one embodiment, the maleimide-derived group is replaced with a group, which optionally together with the cell binding agent, is selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)NH—,     -   —C(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)—,     -   —OC(═O)O—,     -   —NHC(═O)O—,     -   —OC(═O)NH—,     -   —NHC(═O)NH—,     -   —NHC(═O)NH,     -   —C(═O)NHC(═O)—,     -   —S—,     -   —S—S—,     -   —CH₂C(═O)—     -   —C(═O)CH₂—,     -   ═N—NH—, and     -   —NH—N═.

In one embodiment, the maleimide-derived group is replaced with a group, which optionally together with the cell binding agent, is selected from:

-   -   where the wavy line indicates either the point of attachment to         the cell binding agent or the bond to the remaining portion of         the A group, and the asterisk indicates the other of the point         of attachment to the cell binding agent or the bond to the         remaining portion of the A group.

Other groups suitable for connecting L¹ to the cell binding agent are described in WO 2005/082023.

The group R^(L′) is derivable from the group R^(L). The group R^(L) may be converted to a group R^(L′) by connection of a cell binding agent to a functional group of R^(L). Other steps may be taken to convert R^(L) to R^(L′). These steps may include the removal of protecting groups, where present, or the installation of an appropriate functional group.

R^(L)

In one embodiment, R^(L) is a linker for connection to a cell binding agent.

In one embodiment, the linker is provided with a functional group to form a connection to a cell binding agent. This application is particularly concerned with those R^(L) groups which have a carbamate link to the N10 position. The discussion of the linking group in R^(L′) above is also relevant to their immediate precursors here.

In one embodiment, R^(L) is a group:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10         position, G¹ is a functional group to form a connection to a         cell binding agent, L¹ is a linker, L² is a covalent bond or         together with —OC(═O)— forms a self-immolative linker, and L¹ or         L² is a cleavable linker.

L¹ and L² are as defined above in relation to R^(L′). References to connection to A can be construed here as referring to a connection to G¹.

In one embodiment, where L¹ comprises an amino acid, the side chain of that amino acid may be protected. Any suitable protecting group may be used. In one embodiment, the side chain protecting groups are removable with other protecting groups in the compound, where present. In other embodiments, the protecting groups may be orthogonal to other protecting groups in the molecule, where present.

Suitable protecting groups for amino acid side chains include those groups described in the Novabiochem Catalog 2006/2007. Protecting groups for use in a cathepsin labile linker are also discussed in Dubowchik et al.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the group L¹ includes a Lys amino acid residue. The side chain of this amino acid may be protected with a Boc or Alloc protected group. A Boc protecting group is most preferred.

The functional group G¹ forms a connecting group A upon reaction with a cell binding agent.

In one embodiment, the functional group G¹ is or comprises an amino, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, thiol, or maleimide group for reaction with an appropriate group on the cell binding agent. In a preferred embodiment, G¹ comprises a maleimide group.

In one embodiment, the group G¹ is an alkyl maleimide group. This group is suitable for reaction with thiol groups, particularly cysteine thiol groups, present in the cell binding agent, for example present in an antibody.

In one embodiment, the group G¹ is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹ and n         is 0 to 6. In one embodiment, n is 5.

In one embodiment, the group G¹ is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹ and n         is 0 to 6. In one embodiment, n is 5.

In one embodiment, the group G¹ is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, n is         0 or 1, and m is 0 to 30. In a preferred embodiment, n is 1 and         m is 0 to 10, 1 to 2, preferably 4 to 8, and most preferably 4         or 8. Alternatively, m is 0 to 50. In this embodiment, m is         preferably 10-40 and n is 1.

In one embodiment, the group G¹ is:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, n is         0 or 1, and m is 0 to 30. In a preferred embodiment, n is 1 and         m is 0 to 10, 1 to 8, preferably 4 to 8, and most preferably 4         or 8. Alternatively, m is 0 to 50. In this embodiment, m is         preferably 10-40 and n is 1.

In each of the embodiments above, an alternative functionality may be used in place of the maleimide group shown below:

-   -   where asterisk indicates the bond to the remaining portion of         the G group.

In one embodiment, the maleimide-derived group is replaced with the group:

-   -   where the asterisk indicates the bond to the remaining portion         of the G group.

In one embodiment, the maleimide group is replaced with a group selected from:

-   -   —C(═O)OH,     -   —OH,     -   —NH₂,     -   —SH,     -   —C(═O)CH₂D, where D is Cl, Br or I,     -   —CHO,     -   —NHNH₂     -   —C≡CH, and     -   —N₃ (azide).

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is —NH₂, —NHMe, —COOH, —OH or —SH.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is —NH₂ or —NHMe. Either group may be the N-terminal of an L¹ amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is —NH₂, and L¹ is an amino acid sequence —X₁—X₂—, as defined above in relation to R¹⁰.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is COOH. This group may be the C-terminal of an L¹ amino acid sequence.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is OH.

In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is SH.

The group G¹ may be convertable from one functional group to another. In one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is —NH₂. This group is convertable to another group G¹ comprising a maleimide group. For example, the group —NH₂ may be reacted with an acids or an activated acid (e.g. N-succinimide forms) of those G¹ groups comprising maleimide shown above.

The group G¹ may therefore be converted to a functional group that is more appropriate for reaction with a cell binding agent.

In other embodiments, R^(L) is a group that is a precursor to the linker that is provided with a functional group.

As noted above, in one embodiment, where L¹ is present, G¹ is —NH₂, —NHMe, —COOH, —OH or —SH. In a further embodiment, these groups are provided in a chemically protected form. The chemically protected form is therefore a precursor to the linker that is provided with a functional group.

In one embodiment, G¹ is —NH₂ in a chemically protected form. The group may be protected with a carbamate protecting group. The carbamate protecting group may be selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   Alloc, Fmoc, Boc, Troc, Teoc, Cbz and PNZ.

Preferably, where G¹ is —NH₂, it is protected with an Alloc or Fmoc group.

In one embodiment, where G¹ is —NH₂, it is protected with an Fmoc group.

The chemical protecting group may be removed to provide a functional group to form a connection to a cell binding agent. Optionally, this functional group may then be converted to another functional group as described above.

In one embodiment, the active group is an amine. This amine is preferably the N-terminal amine of a peptide, and may be the N-terminal amine of the preferred dipeptides of the invention.

The active group may be reacted to yield the functional group that is intended to form a connection to a cell binding agent.

In other embodiments, the linker is a precursor to the linker having an active group. In this embodiment, the linker comprises the active group, which is protected by way of a protecting group. The protecting group may be removed to provide the linker having an active group.

Where the active group is an amine, the protecting group may be an amine protecting group, such as those described in Green and Wuts.

The protecting group is preferably orthogonal to other protecting groups, where present, in the group R^(L).

In some embodiments, the linker contains an electrophilic functional group for reaction with a nucleophilic functional group on the cell binding agent. Nucleophilic groups on antibodies include, but are not limited to: (i)N-terminal amine groups, (ii) side chain amine groups, e.g. lysine, (iii) side chain thiol groups, e.g. cysteine, and (iv) sugar hydroxyl or amino groups where the antibody is glycosylated. Amine, thiol, and hydroxyl groups are nucleophilic and capable of reacting to form covalent bonds with electrophilic groups on linker moieties and linker reagents including: (i) maleimide groups (ii) activated disulfides, (iii) active esters such as NHS (N-hydroxysuccinimide) esters, HOBt (N-hydroxybenzotriazole) esters, haloformates, and acid halides; (iv) alkyl and benzyl halides such as haloacetamides; and (v) aldehydes, ketones, carboxyl, and, some of which are exemplified as follows:

Certain antibodies have reducible interchain disulfides, i.e. cysteine bridges. Antibodies may be made reactive for conjugation with linker reagents by treatment with a reducing agent such as DTT (dithiothreitol). Each cysteine bridge will thus form, theoretically, two reactive thiol nucleophiles. Additional nucleophilic groups can be introduced into antibodies through the reaction of lysines with 2-iminothiolane (Traut's reagent) resulting in conversion of an amine into a thiol. Reactive thiol groups may be introduced into the antibody (or fragment thereof) by introducing one, two, three, four, or more cysteine residues (e.g., preparing mutant antibodies comprising one or more non-native cysteine amino acid residues). U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,541 teaches engineering antibodies by introduction of reactive cysteine amino acids. In some embodiments, a Linker has a reactive nucleophilic group which is reactive with an electrophilic group present on an antibody. Useful electrophilic groups on an antibody include, but are not limited to, aldehyde and ketone carbonyl groups. The heteroatom of a nucleophilic group of a Linker can react with an electrophilic group on an antibody and form a covalent bond to an antibody unit. Useful nucleophilic groups on a Linker include, but are not limited to, hydrazide, oxime, amino, hydroxyl, hydrazine, thiosemicarbazone, hydrazine carboxylate, and arylhydrazide. The electrophilic group on an antibody provides a convenient site for attachment to a Linker.

Other functional groups suitable for use in forming a connection between L¹ and the cell binding agent are described in WO 2005/082023.

Linkers can include protease-cleavable peptidic moieties comprising one or more amino acid units. Peptide linker reagents may be prepared by solid phase or liquid phase synthesis methods (E. Schröder and K. Lübke, The Peptides, volume 1, pp 76-136 (1965) Academic Press) that are well known in the field of peptide chemistry, including t-BOC chemistry (Geiser et al “Automation of solid-phase peptide synthesis” in Macromolecular Sequencing and Synthesis, Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1988, pp. 199-218) and Fmoc/HBTU chemistry (Fields, G. and Noble, R. (1990) “Solid phase peptide synthesis utilizing 9-fluoroenylmethoxycarbonyl amino acids”, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 35:161-214), on an automated synthesizer such as the Rainin Symphony Peptide Synthesizer (Protein Technologies, Inc., Tucson, Ariz.), or Model 433 (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.).

Exemplary amino acid linkers include a dipeptide, a tripeptide, a tetrapeptide or a pentapeptide. Exemplary dipeptides include: valine-citrulline (vc or val-cit), alanine-phenylalanine (af or ala-phe). Exemplary tripeptides include: glycine-valine-citrulline (gly-val-cit) and glycine-glycine-glycine (gly-gly-gly). Amino acid residues which comprise an amino acid linker component include those occurring naturally, as well as minor amino acids and non-naturally occurring amino acid analogs, such as citrulline. Amino acid linker components can be designed and optimized in their selectivity for enzymatic cleavage by a particular enzymes, for example, a tumor-associated protease, cathepsin B, C and D, or a plasmin protease.

Amino acid side chains include those occurring naturally, as well as minor amino acids and non-naturally occurring amino acid analogs, such as citrulline. Amino acid side chains include hydrogen, methyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, benzyl, p-hydroxybenzyl, —CH₂OH, —CH(OH)CH₃, —CH₂CH₂SCH₃, —CH₂CONH₂, —CH₂COOH, —CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CH₂CH₂COOH, —(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂, —(CH₂)₃NH₂, —(CH₂)₃NHCOCH₃, —(CH₂)₃NHCHO, —(CH₂)₄NHC(═NH)NH₂, —(CH₂)₄NH₂, —(CH₂)₄NHCOCH₃, —(CH₂)₄NHCHO, —(CH₂)₃NHCONH₂, —(CH₂)₄NHCONH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH(OH)CH₂NH₂, 2-pyridylmethyl-, 3-pyridylmethyl-, 4-pyridylmethyl-, phenyl, cyclohexyl, as well as the following structures:

When the amino acid side chains include other than hydrogen (glycine), the carbon atom to which the amino acid side chain is attached is chiral. Each carbon atom to which the amino acid side chain is attached is independently in the (S) or (R) configuration, or a racemic mixture. Drug-linker reagents may thus be enantiomerically pure, racemic, or diastereomeric.

In exemplary embodiments, amino acid side chains are selected from those of natural and non-natural amino acids, including alanine, 2-amino-2-cyclohexylacetic acid, 2-amino-2-phenylacetic acid, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, norleucine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, γ-aminobutyric acid, α,α-dimethyl γ-aminobutyric acid, β,β-dimethyl γ-aminobutyric acid, ornithine, and citrulline (Cit).

An exemplary valine-citrulline (val-cit or vc) dipeptide linker reagent useful for constructing a linker-PBD drug moiety intermediate for conjugation to a cell binding agent, e.g. an antibody, having a para-aminobenzylcarbamoyl (PAB) self-immolative spacer has the structure:

where Q is C₁-C₈ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₈ alkyl), -halogen, —NO₂ or —CN; and m is an integer ranging from 0-4.

An exemplary phe-lys(Mtr) dipeptide linker reagent having a p-aminobenzyl group can be prepared according to Dubowchik, et al. (1997) Tetrahedron Letters, 38:5257-60, and has the structure:

where Mtr is mono-4-methoxytrityl, Q is C₁-C₈ alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₈ alkyl), -halogen, —NO₂ or —CN; and m is an integer ranging from 0-4.

The “self-immolative linker” PAB (para-aminobenzyloxycarbonyl), attaches the drug moiety to the antibody in the antibody drug conjugate (Carl et al (1981) J. Med. Chem. 24:479-480; Chakravarty et al (1983) J. Med. Chem. 26:638-644; U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,345; US20030130189; US20030096743; U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,509; US20040052793; U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,519; U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,807; U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,488; US20040018194; WO98/13059; US20040052793; U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,435; U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,002; US20040121940; WO2004/032828). Other examples of self-immolative spacers besides PAB include, but are not limited to: (i) aromatic compounds that are electronically similar to the PAB group such as 2-aminoimidazol-5-methanol derivatives (Hay et al. (1999) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 9:2237), thiazoles (U.S. Pat. No. 7,375,078), multiple, elongated PAB units (de Groot et al (2001) J. Org. Chem. 66:8815-8830); and ortho or para-aminobenzylacetals; and (ii) homologated styryl PAB analogs (U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,837). Spacers can be used that undergo cyclization upon amide bond hydrolysis, such as substituted and unsubstituted 4-aminobutyric acid amides (Rodrigues et al (1995) Chemistry Biology 2:223), appropriately substituted bicyclo[2.2.1] and bicyclo[2.2.2] ring systems (Storm et al (1972) J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 94:5815) and 2-aminophenylpropionic acid amides (Amsberry, et al (1990) J. Org. Chem. 55:5867). Elimination of amine-containing drugs that are substituted at glycine (Kingsbury et al (1984) J. Med. Chem. 27:1447) are also examples of self-immolative spacers useful in ADC.

In one embodiment, a valine-citrulline dipeptide PAB analog reagent has a 2,6 dimethyl phenyl group and has the structure:

Linker reagents useful for the antibody drug conjugates of the invention include, but are not limited to: BMPEO, BMPS, EMCS, GMBS, HBVS, LC-SMCC, MBS, MPBH, SBAP, SIA, SIAB, SMCC, SMPB, SMPH, sulfo-EMCS, sulfo-GMBS, sulfo-KMUS, sulfo-MBS, sulfo-SIAB, sulfo-SMCC, and sulfo-SMPB, and SVSB (succinimidyl-(4-vinylsulfone)benzoate), and bis-maleimide reagents: DTME, BMB, BMDB, BMH, BMOE, 1,8-bis-maleimidodiethyleneglycol (BM(PEO)₂), and 1,11-bis-maleimidotriethyleneglycol (BM(PEO)₃), which are commercially available from Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., ThermoScientific, Rockford, Ill., and other reagent suppliers. Bis-maleimide reagents allow the attachment of a free thiol group of a cysteine residue of an antibody to a thiol-containing drug moiety, label, or linker intermediate, in a sequential or concurrent fashion. Other functional groups besides maleimide, which are reactive with a thiol group of an antibody, PBD drug moiety, or linker intermediate include iodoacetamide, bromoacetamide, vinyl pyridine, disulfide, pyridyl disulfide, isocyanate, and isothiocyanate.

Other embodiments of linker reagents are: N-succinimidyl-4-(2-pyridylthio)pentanoate (SPP), N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP, Carlsson et al (1978) Biochem. J. 173:723-737), succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HCl), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutaraldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis(p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as toluene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). Useful linker reagents can also be obtained via other commercial sources, such as Molecular Biosciences Inc. (Boulder, Colo.), or synthesized in accordance with procedures described in Toki et al (2002) J. Org. Chem. 67:1866-1872; U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,345; WO 02/088172; US 2003130189; US2003096743; WO 03/026577; WO 03/043583; and WO 04/032828.

The Linker may be a dendritic type linker for covalent attachment of more than one drug moiety through a branching, multifunctional linker moiety to an antibody (US 2006/116422; US 2005/271615; de Groot et al (2003) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42:4490-4494; Amir et al (2003) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42:4494-4499; Shamis et al (2004) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126:1726-1731; Sun et al (2002) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 12:2213-2215; Sun et al (2003) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 11:1761-1768; King et al (2002) Tetrahedron Letters 43:1987-1990). Dendritic linkers can increase the molar ratio of drug to antibody, i.e. loading, which is related to the potency of the ADC. Thus, where an antibody bears only one reactive cysteine thiol group, a multitude of drug moieties may be attached through a dendritic or branched linker.

One exemplary embodiment of a dendritic type linker has the structure:

where the asterisk indicate the point of attachment to the N10 position of a PBD moiety. Certain Embodiments of R^(L)/R^(L′)

In certain embodiments of conjugates of the present invention, L-R^(L′) may be of formula X:

wherein Q is selected from a single bond, and a group of formulae Q1 or Q2:

where N shows where the group binds to the N10 of the PBD moiety; R^(Q1) and R^(Q2) are independently selected from H and methyl, or together with the carbon atom to which they are bound form a cyclopropylene group; and CBA represents the cell binding agent.

Thus the group of formula X is selected from the following formulae X-I, X-II and X-III, depending on Q:

Q X Single bond

  X-I

  (Q1)

  X-II

  (Q2)

  X-III

In some embodiments, R^(Q1) and R^(Q2) are H. In other embodiment, R^(Q1) and R^(Q2) are methyl. In further embodiments, one of R^(Q1) and R^(Q2) is H and the other is methyl; in these embodiments, the carbon atom to which they are bound is a chiral centre.

In some embodiments, Q is a single bond.

In other embodiments, Q is

In further embodiments, Q is

Conjugates where L-R^(L′) is of formula X may be formed from compounds wherein R^(L) is of formula XI:

wherein R^(Q1), R^(Q2), and Q are as defined for the group of formula X.

The preferences expressed for the group of formula X apply equally to formula XI.

Cell Binding Agent

A cell binding agent may be of any kind, and include peptides and non-peptides. These can include antibodies or a fragment of an antibody that contains at least one binding site, lymphokines, hormones, growth factors, nutrient-transport molecules, or any other cell binding molecule or substance.

Peptides

In one embodiment, the cell binding agent is a linear or cyclic peptide comprising 4-30, preferably 6-20, contiguous amino acid residues. In this embodiment, it is preferred that one cell binding agent is linked to one monomer or dimer pyrrolobenzodiazepine compound.

In one embodiment the cell binding agent comprises a peptide that binds integrin α_(v)β₆. The peptide may be selective for α_(v)β₆ over XYS.

In one embodiment the cell binding agent comprises the A20FMDV-Cys polypeptide. The A20FMDV-Cys has the sequence: NAVPNLRGDLQVLAQKVARTC. Alternatively, a variant of the A20FMDV-Cys sequence may be used wherein one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten amino acid residues are substituted with another amino acid residue. Furthermore, the polypeptide may have the sequence NAVXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXRTC.

Antibodies

The term “antibody” herein is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, dimers, multimers, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (Miller et al (2003) Jour. of Immunology 170:4854-4861). Antibodies may be murine, human, humanized, chimeric, or derived from other species. An antibody is a protein generated by the immune system that is capable of recognizing and binding to a specific antigen. (Janeway, C., Travers, P., Walport, M., Shlomchik (2001) Immuno Biology, 5th Ed., Garland Publishing, New York). A target antigen generally has numerous binding sites, also called epitopes, recognized by CDRs on multiple antibodies. Each antibody that specifically binds to a different epitope has a different structure. Thus, one antigen may have more than one corresponding antibody. An antibody includes a full-length immunoglobulin molecule or an immunologically active portion of a full-length immunoglobulin molecule, i.e., a molecule that contains an antigen binding site that immunospecifically binds an antigen of a target of interest or part thereof, such targets including but not limited to, cancer cell or cells that produce autoimmune antibodies associated with an autoimmune disease. The immunoglobulin can be of any type (e.g. IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, and IgA), class (e.g. IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2) or subclass of immunoglobulin molecule. The immunoglobulins can be derived from any species, including human, murine, or rabbit origin.

“Antibody fragments” comprise a portion of a full length antibody, generally the antigen binding or variable region thereof. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, and scFv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies; fragments produced by a Fab expression library, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, CDR (complementary determining region), and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above which immunospecifically bind to cancer cell antigens, viral antigens or microbial antigens, single-chain antibody molecules; and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e. the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations which include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen. In addition to their specificity, the monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they may be synthesized uncontaminated by other antibodies. The modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al (1975) Nature 256:495, or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The monoclonal antibodies may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described in Clackson et al (1991) Nature, 352:624-628; Marks et al (1991) J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 or from transgenic mice carrying a fully human immunoglobulin system (Lonberg (2008) Curr. Opinion 20(4):450-459).

The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include “chimeric” antibodies in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855). Chimeric antibodies include “primatized” antibodies comprising variable domain antigen-binding sequences derived from a non-human primate (e.g. Old World Monkey or Ape) and human constant region sequences.

An “intact antibody” herein is one comprising a VL and VH domains, as well as a light chain constant domain (CL) and heavy chain constant domains, CH1, CH2 and CH3. The constant domains may be native sequence constant domains (e.g. human native sequence constant domains) or amino acid sequence variant thereof. The intact antibody may have one or more “effector functions” which refer to those biological activities attributable to the Fc region (a native sequence Fc region or amino acid sequence variant Fc region) of an antibody. Examples of antibody effector functions include C1q binding; complement dependent cytotoxicity; Fc receptor binding; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC); phagocytosis; and down regulation of cell surface receptors such as B cell receptor and BCR.

Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy chains, intact antibodies can be assigned to different “classes.” There are five major classes of intact antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into “subclasses” (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgA2. The heavy-chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of antibodies are called α, δ, ε, γ, and μ, respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known.

Humanisation

Techniques to reduce the in vivo immunogenicity of a non-human antibody or antibody fragment include those termed “humanisation”.

A “humanized antibody” refers to a polypeptide comprising at least a portion of a modified variable region of a human antibody wherein a portion of the variable region, preferably a portion substantially less than the intact human variable domain, has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species and wherein the modified variable region is linked to at least another part of another protein, preferably the constant region of a human antibody. The expression “humanized antibodies” includes human antibodies in which one or more complementarity determining region (“CDR”) amino acid residues and/or one or more framework region (“FW” or “FR”) amino acid residues are substituted by amino acid residues from analogous sites in rodent or other non-human antibodies. The expression “humanized antibody” also includes an immunoglobulin amino acid sequence variant or fragment thereof that comprises an FR having substantially the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and a CDR having substantially the amino acid sequence of a non-human immunoglobulin.

“Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Or, looked at another way, a humanized antibody is a human antibody that also contains selected sequences from non-human (e.g. murine) antibodies in place of the human sequences. A humanized antibody can include conservative amino acid substitutions or non-natural residues from the same or different species that do not significantly alter its binding and/or biologic activity. Such antibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulins.

There are a range of humanisation techniques, including ‘CDR grafting’, ‘guided selection’, ‘deimmunization’, ‘resurfacing’ (also known as ‘veneering’), ‘composite antibodies’, ‘Human String Content Optimisation’ and framework shuffling.

CDR Grafting

In this technique, the humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementary-determining region (CDR) of the recipient antibody are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, camel, bovine, goat, or rabbit having the desired properties (in effect, the non-human CDRs are ‘grafted’ onto the human framework). In some instances, framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues (this may happen when, for example, a particular FR residue has significant effect on antigen binding).

Furthermore, humanized antibodies can comprise residues that are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. These modifications are made to further refine and maximize antibody performance. Thus, in general, a humanized antibody will comprise all of at least one, and in one aspect two, variable domains, in which all or all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibody optionally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), or that of a human immunoglobulin.

Guided Selection

The method consists of combining the V_(H) or V_(L) domain of a given non-human antibody specific for a particular epitope with a human V_(H) or V_(L) library and specific human V domains are selected against the antigen of interest. This selected human VH is then combined with a VL library to generate a completely human VH×VL combination. The method is described in Nature Biotechnology (N.Y.) 12, (1994) 899-903.

Composite Antibodies

In this method, two or more segments of amino acid sequence from a human antibody are combined within the final antibody molecule. They are constructed by combining multiple human VH and VL sequence segments in combinations which limit or avoid human T cell epitopes in the final composite antibody V regions. Where required, T cell epitopes are limited or avoided by, exchanging V region segments contributing to or encoding a T cell epitope with alternative segments which avoid T cell epitopes. This method is described in US 2008/0206239 A1.

Deimmunization

This method involves the removal of human (or other second species) T-cell epitopes from the V regions of the therapeutic antibody (or other molecule). The therapeutic antibodies V-region sequence is analysed for the presence of MHC class II-binding motifs by, for example, comparison with databases of MHC-binding motifs (such as the “motifs” database hosted at www.wehi.edu.au). Alternatively, MHC class II-binding motifs may be identified using computational threading methods such as those devised by Altuvia et al. (J. Mol. Biol. 249 244-250 (1995)); in these methods, consecutive overlapping peptides from the V-region sequences are testing for their binding energies to MHC class II proteins. This data can then be combined with information on other sequence features which relate to successfully presented peptides, such as amphipathicity, Rothbard motifs, and cleavage sites for cathepsin B and other processing enzymes.

Once potential second species (e.g. human) T-cell epitopes have been identified, they are eliminated by the alteration of one or more amino acids. The modified amino acids are usually within the T-cell epitope itself, but may also be adjacent to the epitope in terms of the primary or secondary structure of the protein (and therefore, may not be adjacent in the primary structure). Most typically, the alteration is by way of substitution but, in some circumstances amino acid addition or deletion will be more appropriate.

All alterations can be accomplished by recombinant DNA technology, so that the final molecule may be prepared by expression from a recombinant host using well established methods such as Site Directed Mutagenesis. However, the use of protein chemistry or any other means of molecular alteration is also possible.

Resurfacing

This method involves:

-   -   (a) determining the conformational structure of the variable         region of the non-human (e.g. rodent) antibody (or fragment         thereof) by constructing a three-dimensional model of the         non-human antibody variable region;     -   (b) generating sequence alignments using relative accessibility         distributions from x-ray crystallographic structures of a         sufficient number of non-human and human antibody variable         region heavy and light chains to give a set of heavy and light         chain framework positions wherein the alignment positions are         identical in 98% of the sufficient number of non-human antibody         heavy and light chains;     -   (c) defining for the non-human antibody to be humanized, a set         of heavy and light chain surface exposed amino acid residues         using the set of framework positions generated in step (b);     -   (d) identifying from human antibody amino acid sequences a set         of heavy and light chain surface exposed amino acid residues         that is most closely identical to the set of surface exposed         amino acid residues defined in step (c), wherein the heavy and         light chain from the human antibody are or are not naturally         paired;     -   (e) substituting, in the amino acid sequence of the non-human         antibody to be humanized, the set of heavy and light chain         surface exposed amino acid residues defined in step (c) with the         set of heavy and light chain surface exposed amino acid residues         identified in step (d);     -   (f) constructing a three-dimensional model of the variable         region of the non-human antibody resulting from the substituting         specified in step (e);     -   (g) identifying, by comparing the three-dimensional models         constructed in steps (a) and (f), any amino acid residues from         the sets identified in steps (c) or (d), that are within 5         Angstroms of any atom of any residue of the complementarity         determining regions of the non-human antibody to be humanized;         and     -   (h) changing any residues identified in step (g) from the human         to the original non-human amino acid residue to thereby define a         non-human antibody humanizing set of surface exposed amino acid         residues; with the proviso that step (a) need not be conducted         first, but must be conducted prior to step (g).         Superhumanization

The method compares the non-human sequence with the functional human germline gene repertoire. Those human genes encoding canonical structures identical or closely related to the non-human sequences are selected. Those selected human genes with highest homology within the CDRs are chosen as FR donors. Finally, the non-human CDRs are grafted onto these human FRs. This method is described in patent WO 2005/079479 A2.

Human String Content Optimization

This method compares the non-human (e.g. mouse) sequence with the repertoire of human germline genes and the differences are scored as Human String Content (HSC) that quantifies a sequence at the level of potential MHC/T-cell epitopes. The target sequence is then humanized by maximizing its HSC rather than using a global identity measure to generate multiple diverse humanized variants (described in Molecular Immunology, 44, (2007) 1986-1998).

Framework Shuffling

The CDRs of the non-human antibody are fused in-frame to cDNA pools encompassing all known heavy and light chain human germline gene frameworks. Humanised antibodies are then selected by e.g. panning of the phage displayed antibody library. This is described in Methods 36, 43-60 (2005).

Examples of cell binding agents include those agents described for use in WO 2007/085930, which is incorporated herein.

Tumour-associate antigens and cognate antibodies for use in embodiments of the present invention are listed below.

Tumor-Associated Antigens and Cognate Antibodies

(1) BMPR1B (Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor-Type IB)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_001203

Genbank version no. NM_001203.2 GI:169790809

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:06 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001194

Genbank version no. NP_001194.1 GI:4502431

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:06 PM

Cross-References

ten Dijke, P., et al Science 264 (5155): 101-104 (1994), Oncogene 14 10 (11):1377-1382 (1997)); WO2004/063362 (claim 2); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); US2003/134790-A1 (Page 38-39); WO2002/102235 (claim 13; Page 296); WO2003/055443 (Page 91-92); WO2002/99122 (Example 2; Page 528-530); WO2003/029421 (claim 6); WO2003/024392 (claim 2; FIG. 112); WO2002/98358 (claim 1; Page 183); WO2002/54940 (Page 100-101); WO2002/59377 (Page 349-350); WO2002/30268 (claim 27; Page 376); 15 WO2001/48204 (Example; FIG. 4); NP_001194 bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB/pid=NP_001194.1; MIM:603248; AY065994

(2) E16 (LAT1, SLC7A5)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_003486

Genbank version no. NM_003486.5 GI:71979931

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:06 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_003477

Genbank version no. NP_003477.4 GI:71979932

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:06 PM

Cross References

Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 255 (2), 283-288 (1999), Nature 395 (6699):288-291 (1998), Gaugitsch, H. W., et 20 al (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267 (16):11267-11273); WO2004/048938 (Example 2); WO2004/032842 (Example IV); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); WO2003/016475 (claim 1); WO2002/78524 (Example 2); WO2002/99074 (claim 19; Page 127-129); WO2002/86443 (claim 27; Pages 222, 393); WO2003/003906 (claim 10; Page 293); WO2002/64798 (claim 33; Page 93-95); WO2000/14228 (claim 5; Page 133-136); US2003/224454 (FIG. 3); 25 WO2003/025138 (claim 12; Page 150); NP_003477 solute carrier family 7 (cationic amino acid transporter, y+system), member 5/pid=NP_003477.3—Homo sapiens; MIM:600182; NM_015923.

(3) STEAP1 (Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_012449

Genbank version no. NM_012449.2 GI:22027487

Genbank record update date: Sep. 9, 2012 02:57 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_036581

Genbank version no. NP_036581.1 GI:9558759

Genbank record update date: Sep. 9, 2012 02:57 PM

Cross References

Cancer Res. 61 (15), 5857-5860 (2001), Hubert, R. S., et al (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96 (25):14523-14528); WO2004/065577 (claim 6); WO2004/027049 (FIG. 1L); EP1394274 (Example 11); WO2004/016225 (claim 2); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); US2003/157089 (Example 5); US2003/185830 (Example 5); US2003/064397 (FIG. 2); WO2002/89747 (Example 5; Page 618-619); WO2003/022995 (Example 9; FIG. 13A, 35 Example 53; Page 173, Example 2; FIG. 2A); six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate; MIM:604415.

(4) 0772P (CA125, MUC16)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF361486

Genbank version no. AF361486.3 GI:34501466

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 07:56 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAK74120

Genbank version no. AAK74120.3 GI:34501467

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 07:56 AM

Cross References

J. Biol. Chem. 276 (29):27371-27375 (2001)); WO2004/045553 (claim 14); WO2002/92836 (claim 6; FIG. 12); WO2002/83866 (claim 15; Page 116-121); US2003/124140 (Example 16); GI:34501467;

(5) MPF (MPF, MSLN, SMR, Megakaryocyte Potentiating Factor, Mesothelin)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_005823

Genbank version no. NM_005823.5 GI:293651528

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:47 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_005814

Genbank version no. NP_005814.2 GI:53988378

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:47 PM

Cross References

Yamaguchi, N., et al Biol. Chem. 269 (2), 805-808 (1994), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96 (20):11531-11536 (1999), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93 10 (1):136-140 (1996), J. Biol. Chem. 270 (37):21984-21990 (1995)); WO2003/101283 (claim 14); (WO2002/102235 (claim 13; Page 287-288); WO2002/101075 (claim 4; Page 308-309); WO2002/71928 (Page 320-321); WO94/10312 (Page 52-57); IM:601051.

(6) Napi3b (NAPI-3B, NPTIIb, SLC34A2, Solute Carrier Family 34 (Sodium Phosphate), Member 2, Type II Sodium-Dependent Phosphate Transporter 3b)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_006424

Genbank version no. NM_006424.2 GI:110611905

Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 03:39 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_006415

Genbank version no. NP_006415.2 GI:110611906

Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 03:39 PM

Cross References

J. Biol. Chem. 277 (22):19665-19672 (2002), Genomics 62 (2):281-284 (1999), Feild, J. A., et al (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 258 (3):578-582); WO2004/022778 (claim 2); EP1394274 (Example 11); WO2002/102235 (claim 13; Page 20 326); EP0875569 (claim 1; Page 17-19); WO2001/57188 (claim 20; Page 329); WO2004/032842 (Example IV); WO2001/75177 (claim 24; Page 139-140); MIM:604217.

(7) Sema 5b (FLJ10372, KIAA1445, Mm.42015, SEMA5B, SEMAG, Semaphorin 5b Hlog, 25 Sema Domain, Seven Thrombospondin Repeats (Type 1 and Type 1-Like), Transmembrane Domain (TM) and Short Cytoplasmic Domain, (Semaphorin) 58)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AB040878

Genbank version no. AB040878.1 GI:7959148

Genbank record update date: Aug. 2, 2006 05:40 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. BAA95969

Genbank version no. BAA95969.1 GI:7959149

Genbank record update date: Aug. 2, 2006 05:40 PM

Cross References

Nagase T., et al (2000) DNA Res. 7 (2):143-150); WO2004/000997 (claim 1); WO2003/003984 (claim 1); WO2002/06339 (claim 1; Page 50); WO2001/88133 (claim 1; Page 41-43, 48-58); WO2003/054152 (claim 20); WO2003/101400 (claim 11); Accession: 30 Q9P283; Genew; HGNC:10737

(8) PSCA hlg (2700050C12Rik, C530008O16Rik, RIKEN cDNA 2700050C12, RIKEN cDNA 2700050C12 Gene)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AY358628

Genbank version no. AY358628.1 GI:37182377

Genbank record update date: Dec. 1, 2009 04:15 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAQ88991

Genbank version no. AAQ88991.1 GI:37182378

Genbank record update date: Dec. 1, 2009 04:15 AM

Cross References

Ross et al (2002) Cancer Res. 62:2546-2553; US2003/129192 (claim 2); US2004/044180 (claim 12); US2004/044179 35 (claim 11); US2003/096961 (claim 11); US2003/232056 (Example 5); WO2003/105758 16 (claim 12); US2003/206918 (Example 5); EP1347046 (claim 1); WO2003/025148 (claim 20); GI:37182378.

(9) ETBR (Endothelin Type B Receptor)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AY275463

Genbank version no. AY275463.1 GI:30526094

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 02:26 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAP32295

Genbank version no. AAP32295.1 GI:30526095

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 02:26 AM

Cross References

Nakamuta M., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 177, 34-39, 1991; Ogawa Y., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 178, 248-255, 1991; Arai H., et al Jpn. Circ. J. 56, 1303-1307, 1992; Arai H., et al J. Biol. Chem. 268, 3463-3470, 1993; Sakamoto A., Yanagisawa M., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 178, 656-663, 1991; Elshourbagy N. A., et al J. Biol. Chem. 268, 3873-3879, 1993; Haendler B., et al J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 20, s1-S4, 1992; Tsutsumi M., et al Gene 228, 43-49, 1999; Strausberg R. L., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99, 16899-16903, 2002; Bourgeois C., et al J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 82, 3116-3123, 1997; Okamoto Y., et al Biol. Chem. 272, 21589-21596, 1997; Verheij J. B., et al Am. J. Med. Genet. 108, 223-225, 2002; Hofstra R. M. W., et al Eur. J. Hum. Genet. 5, 180-185, 1997; Puffenberger E. G., et al Cell 79, 1257-1266, 1994; Attie T., et al, Hum. Mol. Genet. 4, 2407-15 2409, 1995; Auricchio A., et al Hum. Mol. Genet. 5:351-354, 1996; Amiel J., et al Hum. Mol. Genet. 5, 355-357, 1996; Hofstra R. M. W., et al Nat. Genet. 12, 445-447, 1996; Svensson P. J., et al Hum. Genet. 103, 145-148, 1998; Fuchs S., et al Mol. Med. 7, 115-124, 2001; Pingault V., et al (2002) Hum. Genet. 111, 198-206; WO2004/045516 (claim 1); WO2004/048938 (Example 2); WO2004/040000 (claim 151); WO2003/087768 (claim 1); 20 WO2003/016475 (claim 1); WO2003/016475 (claim 1); WO2002/61087 (FIG. 1); WO2003/016494 (FIG. 6); WO2003/025138 (claim 12; Page 144); WO2001/98351 (claim 1; Page 124-125); EP0522868 (claim 8; FIG. 2); WO2001/77172 (claim 1; Page 297-299); US2003/109676; U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,404 (FIG. 3); U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,223 (Claim 1a; Col 31-34); WO2004/001004.

(10) MSG783 (RNF124, Hypothetical Protein FLJ20315)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_017763

Genbank version no. NM_017763.4 GI:167830482

Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 12:34 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_060233

Genbank version no. NP_060233.3 GI:56711322

Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 12:34 AM

Cross References

WO2003/104275 (claim 1); WO2004/046342 (Example 2); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); WO2003/083074 (claim 14; Page 61); WO2003/018621 (claim 1); WO2003/024392 (claim 2; FIG. 93); WO2001/66689 (Example 6); LocusID:54894.

(11) STEAP2 (HGNC_8639, IPCA-1, PCANAP1, STAMP1, STEAP2, STMP, Prostate Cancer Associated Gene 1, Prostate Cancer Associated Protein 1, Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate 2, Six Transmembrane Prostate Protein)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF455138

Genbank version no. AF455138.1 GI:22655487

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:54 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAN04080

Genbank version no. AAN04080.1 GI:22655488

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:54 AM

Cross References

Lab. Invest. 82 (11):1573-1582 (2002)); WO2003/087306; US2003/064397 (claim 1; FIG. 1); WO2002/72596 (claim 13; Page 54-55); WO2001/72962 (claim 1; FIG. 4B); 35 WO2003/104270 (claim 11); WO2003/104270 (claim 16); US2004/005598 (claim 22); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); US2003/060612 (claim 12; FIG. 10); WO2002/26822 (claim 23; FIG. 2); WO2002/16429 (claim 12; FIG. 10); GI:22655488.

(12) TrpM4 (BR22450, FLJ20041, TRPM4, TRPM4B, Transient Receptor Potential Cation 5 Channel, Subfamily M, Member 4)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_017636

Genbank version no. NM_017636.3 GI:304766649

Genbank record update date: Jun. 29, 2012 11:27 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_060106

Genbank version no. NP_060106.2 GI:21314671

Genbank record update date: Jun. 29, 2012 11:27 AM

Cross References

Xu, X. Z., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98 (19):10692-10697 (2001), Cell 109 (3):397-407 (2002), J. Biol. Chem. 278 (33):30813-30820 (2003)); US2003/143557 (claim 4); WO2000/40614 (claim 14; Page 100-103); WO2002/10382 (claim 1; FIG. 9A); WO2003/042661 (claim 12); WO2002/30268 (claim 27; Page 391); US2003/219806 (claim 4); WO2001/62794 (claim 10 14; FIG. 1A-D); MIM:606936.

(13) CRIPTO (CR, CR1, CRGF, CRIPTO, TDGF1, Teratocarcinoma-Derived Growth Factor)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_003212

Genbank version no. NM_003212.3 GI:292494881

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:27 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_003203

Genbank version no. NP_003203.1 GI:4507425

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:27 PM

Cross References

Ciccodicola, A., et al EMBO J. 8 (7):1987-1991 (1989), Am. J. Hum. Genet. 49 (3):555-565 (1991)); US2003/224411 (claim 1); WO2003/083041 (Example 1); WO2003/034984 (claim 12); WO2002/88170 (claim 2; Page 52-53); WO2003/024392 (claim 2; FIG. 58); WO2002/16413 (claim 1; Page 94-95, 105); WO2002/22808 (claim 2; FIG. 1); U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,399 (Example 2; Col 17-18); U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,616 (FIG. 2); MIM:187395.

(14) CD21 (CR2 (Complement Receptor 2) or C3DR (C3d/Epstein Barr Virus Receptor) or Hs.73792)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M26004

Genbank version no. M26004.1 GI:181939

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA35786

Genbank version no. AAA35786.1 GI:181940

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Cross References

Fujisaku et al (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264 (4):2118-2125); Weis J. J., et al J. Exp. Med. 167, 1047-1066, 1988; Moore M., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 9194-9198, 1987; Barel M., et al Mol. Immunol. 35, 1025-1031, 1998; Weis J. J., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 5639-5643, 1986; Sinha S. K., et al (1993) J. Immunol. 150, 5311-5320; WO2004/045520 (Example 4); US2004/005538 (Example 1); WO2003/062401 (claim 9); WO2004/045520 (Example 4); WO91/02536 (FIGS. 9.1-9.9); WO2004/020595 (claim 1); Accession: P20023; Q13866; Q14212; EMBL; M26004; AAA35786.1.

(15) CD79b (CD79β, CD79β, IGb (Immunoglobulin-Associated Beta), 829)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_000626

Genbank version no. NM_000626.2 GI:90193589

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:53 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_000617

Genbank version no. NP_000617.1 GI:11038674

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:53 PM

Cross References

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2003) 100 (7):4126-4131, Blood (2002) 100 (9):3068-3076, Muller et al (1992) Eur. J. Immunol. 22 (6):1621-1625); WO2004/016225 (claim 2, FIG. 140); WO2003/087768, US2004/101874 (claim 1, page 102); WO2003/062401 (claim 9); WO2002/78524 (Example 2); US2002/150573 (claim 35 5, page 15); U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,033; WO2003/048202 (claim 1, pages 306 and 309); WO 99/58658, U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,482 (claim 13, FIG. 17A/B); WO2000/55351 (claim 11, pages 1145-1146); MIM:147245

(16) FcRH2 (IFGP4, IRTA4, SPAP1A (SH2 Domain Containing Phosphatase Anchor Protein 5 1a), SPAP1B, SPAP1C)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_030764

Genbank version no. NM_030764.3 GI:227430280

Genbank record update date: Jun. 30, 2012 12:30 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_110391

Genbank version no. NP_110391.2 GI:19923629

Genbank record update date: Jun. 30, 2012 12:30 AM

Cross References

AY358130); Genome Res. 13 (10):2265-2270 (2003), Immunogenetics 54 (2):87-95 (2002), Blood 99 (8):2662-2669 (2002), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98 (17):9772-9777 (2001), Xu, M. J., et al (2001) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 280 (3):768-775; WO2004/016225 (claim 2); WO2003/077836; WO2001/38490 (claim 5; FIG. 18D-1-18D-2); WO2003/097803 (claim 12); 10 WO2003/089624 (claim 25); MIM:606509.

(17) HER2 (ErbB2)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M11730

Genbank version no. M11730.1 GI:183986

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA75493

Genbank version no. AAA75493.1 GI:306840 Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Cross References

Coussens L., et al Science (1985) 230(4730):1132-1139); Yamamoto T., et al Nature 319, 230-234, 1986; Semba K., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 6497-6501, 1985; Swiercz J. M., et al J. Cell Biol. 165, 869-15 880, 2004; Kuhns J. J., et al J. Biol. Chem. 274, 36422-36427, 1999; Cho H.-S., et al Nature 421, 756-760, 2003; Ehsani A., et al (1993) Genomics 15, 426-429; WO2004/048938 (Example 2); WO2004/027049 (FIG. 11); WO2004/009622; WO2003/081210; WO2003/089904 (claim 9); WO2003/016475 (claim 1); US2003/118592; WO2003/008537 (claim 1); WO2003/055439 (claim 29; FIG. 1A-B); WO2003/025228 (claim 37; FIG. 5C); 20 WO2002/22636 (Example 13; Page 95-107); WO2002/12341 (claim 68; FIG. 7); WO2002/13847 (Page 71-74); WO2002/14503 (Page 114-117); WO2001/53463 (claim 2; Page 41-46); WO2001/41787 (Page 15); WO2000/44899 (claim 52; FIG. 7); WO2000/20579 (claim 3; FIG. 2); U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,445 (claim 3; Col 31-38); WO9630514 (claim 2; Page 56-61); EP1439393 (claim 7); WO2004/043361 (claim 7); WO2004/022709; WO2001/00244 25 (Example 3; FIG. 4); Accession: P04626; EMBL; M11767; AAA35808.1. EMBL; M11761; AAA35808.1

Antibodies

Abbott: US20110177095

-   -   For example, an antibody comprising CDRs having overall at least         80% sequence identity to CDRs having amino acid sequences of SEQ         ID NO:3 (CDR-H1), SEQ ID NO:4 (CDR-H2), SEQ ID NO:5 (CDR-H3),         SEQ ID NO:104 and/or SEQ ID NO:6 (CDR-L1), SEQ ID NO:7 (CDR-L2),         and SEQ ID NO:8 (CDR-L3), wherein the anti-HER2 antibody or         anti-HER2 binding fragment has reduced immunogenicity as         compared to an antibody having a VH of SEQ ID NO:1 and a VL of         SEQ ID NO:2.

Biogen: US20100119511

-   -   For example, ATCC accession numbers: PTA-10355, PTA-10356,         PTA-10357, PTA-10358     -   For example, a purified antibody molecule that binds to HER2         comprising a all six CDR's from an antibody selected from the         group consisting of BIIB71F10 (SEQ ID NOs:11, 13), BIIB69A09         (SEQ ID NOs:15, 17); BIIB67F10 (SEQ ID NOs:19, 21); BIIB67F11         (SEQ ID NOs:23, 25), BIIB66A12 (SEQ ID NOs:27, 29), BIIB66C01         (SEQ ID NOs:31, 33), BIIB65C10 (SEQ ID NOs:35, 37), BIIB65H09         (SEQ ID NOs:39, 41) and BIIB65B03 (SEQ ID NOs:43, 45), or CDRs         which are identical or which have no more than two alterations         from said CDRs.

Herceptin (Genentech)—U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,297; ATCC accession no. CRL-10463 (Genentech)

Pertuzumab (Genentech)

US20110117097

-   -   for example, see SEQ IDs No. 15&16, SEQ IDs No. 17&18, SEQ IDs         No. 23&24 & ATCC accession numbers HB-12215, HB-12216, CRL         10463, HB-12697.

US20090285837

US20090202546

-   -   for example, ATCC accession numbers: HB-12215, HB-12216, CRL         10463, HB-12698.

US20060088523

-   -   for example, ATCC accession numbers: HB-12215, HB-12216     -   for example, an antibody comprising the variable light and         variable heavy amino acid sequences in SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 4,         respectively.     -   for example, an antibody comprising a light chain amino acid         sequence selected from SEQ ID No. 15 and 23, and a heavy chain         amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID No. 16 and 24

US20060018899

-   -   for example, ATCC accession numbers: (7C2) HB-12215, (7F3)         HB-12216, (4D5) CRL-10463, (2C4) HB-12697.     -   for example, an antibody comprising the amino acid sequence in         SEQ ID No. 23, or a deamidated and/or oxidized variant thereof.

US2011/0159014

-   -   for example, an antibody having a light chain variable domain         comprising the hypervariable regions of SEQ ID NO: 1″.     -   For example, an antibody having a heavy chain variable domain         comprising the hypervariable regions of SEQ ID NO: 2.

US20090187007

Glycotope: TrasGEX antibody http://www.glycotope.com/pipeline

-   -   For example, see International Joint Cancer Institute and         Changhai Hospital Cancer Cent: HMTI-Fc Ab—Gao J., et al BMB Rep.         2009 Oct. 31; 42(10):636-41.         Symphogen: US20110217305         Union Stem Cell &Gene Engineering, China—Liu HQ., et al Xi Bao         Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2010 May; 26(5):456-8.         (18) NCA (CEACAM6)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M18728

Genbank version no. M18728.1 GI:189084

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA59907

Genbank version no. AAA59907.1 GI:189085

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Cross References

Barnett T., et al Genomics 3, 59-66, 1988; Tawaragi Y., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 150, 89-96, 1988; Strausberg R. L., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99:16899-16903, 2002; WO2004/063709; EP1439393 (claim 7); WO2004/044178 (Example 4); WO2004/031238; WO2003/042661 (claim 12); WO2002/78524 (Example 2); WO2002/86443 (claim 27; Page 427); WO2002/60317 (claim 2); Accession: P40199; Q14920; EMBL; M29541; AAA59915.1.

EMBL; M18728.

(19) MDP (DPEP1)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no BC017023

Genbank version no. BC017023.1 GI:16877538

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 01:00 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAH17023

Genbank version no. AAH17023.1 GI:16877539

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 01:00 PM

Cross References

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99 (26):16899-16903 (2002)); WO2003/016475 (claim 1); WO2002/64798 (claim 33; Page 85-87); JP05003790 (FIG. 6-8); WO99/46284 (FIG. 9); MIM:179780.

(20) IL20R-Alpha (IL20Ra, ZCYTOR7)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AF184971

Genbank version no. AF184971.1 GI:6013324

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 10:00 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAF01320

Genbank version no. AAF01320.1 GI:6013325

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 10:00 PM

Cross References

Clark H. F., et al Genome Res. 13, 2265-2270, 2003; Mungall A. J., et al Nature 425, 805-811, 2003; Blumberg H., et al Cell 104, 9-19, 2001; Dumoutier L., et al J. Immunol. 167, 3545-3549, 2001; Parrish-Novak J., et al J. Biol. Chem. 277, 47517-47523, 2002; Pletnev S., et al (2003) 10 Biochemistry 42:12617-12624; Sheikh F., et al (2004) J. Immunol. 172, 2006-2010; EP1394274 (Example 11); US2004/005320 (Example 5); WO2003/029262 (Page 74-75); WO2003/002717 (claim 2; Page 63); WO2002/22153 (Page 45-47); US2002/042366 (Page 20-21); WO2001/46261 (Page 57-59); WO2001/46232 (Page 63-65); WO98/37193 (claim 1; Page 55-59); Accession: Q9UHF4; Q6UWA9; Q96SH8; EMBL; AF184971; AAF01320.1.

(21) Brevican (BCAN, BEHAB)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AF229053

Genbank version no. AF229053.1 GI:10798902

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 12:58 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAG23135

Genbank version no. AAG23135.1 GI:10798903

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 12:58 AM

Cross References

Gary S. C., et al Gene 256, 139-147, 2000; Clark H. F., et al Genome Res. 13, 2265-2270, 2003; Strausberg R. L., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99, 16899-16903, 2002; US2003/186372 (claim 11); US2003/186373 (claim 11); US2003/119131 (claim 1; FIG. 52); US2003/119122 (claim 1; 20 FIG. 52); US2003/119126 (claim 1); US2003/119121 (claim 1; FIG. 52); US2003/119129 (claim 1); US2003/119130 (claim 1); US2003/119128 (claim 1; FIG. 52); US2003/119125 (claim 1); WO2003/016475 (claim 1); WO2002/02634 (claim 1)

(22) EphB2R (DRT, ERK, Hek5, EPHT3, Tyro5)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_004442

Genbank version no. NM_004442.6 GI:111118979

Genbank record update date: Sep. 8, 2012 04:43 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_004433

Genbank version no. NP_004433.2 GI:21396504

Genbank record update date: Sep. 8, 2012 04:43 PM

Cross References

Chan, J. and Watt, V. M., Oncogene 6 (6), 1057-1061 (1991) Oncogene 10 (5):897-905 (1995), Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 21:309-345 (1998), Int. Rev. Cytol. 196:177-244 (2000)); WO2003042661 (claim 12); WO200053216 (claim 1; Page 41); WO2004065576 (claim 1); WO2004020583 (claim 9); WO2003004529 (Page 128-132); WO200053216 (claim 1; Page 42); MIM:600997.

(23) ASLG659 (B7h)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AX092328

Genbank version no. AX092328.1 GI:13444478

Genbank record update date: Jan. 26, 2011 07:37 AM

Cross References

US2004/0101899 (claim 2); WO2003104399 (claim 11); WO2004000221 (FIG. 3); US2003/165504 (claim 1); US2003/124140 (Example 2); US2003/065143 (FIG. 60); WO2002/102235 (claim 13; Page 299); US2003/091580 (Example 2); WO2002/10187 (claim 6; FIG. 10); WO2001/94641 (claim 12; FIG. 7b); WO2002/02624 (claim 13; FIG. 1A-1B); US2002/034749 (claim 54; Page 45-46); WO2002/06317 (Example 2; Page 320-321, claim 34; Page 321-322); WO2002/71928 (Page 468-469); WO2002/02587 (Example 1; FIG. 1); WO2001/40269 (Example 3; Pages 190-192); WO2000/36107 (Example 2; Page 205-207); WO2004/053079 (claim 12); WO2003/004989 (claim 1); WO2002/71928 (Page 233-234, 452-453); WO 01/16318.

(24) PSCA (Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Precursor)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AJ297436

Genbank version no. AJ297436.1 GI:9367211

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 11:25 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAB97347

Genbank version no. CAB97347.1 GI:9367212

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 11:25 AM

Cross References

Reiter R. E., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 1735-1740, 1998; Gu Z., et al Oncogene 19, 1288-1296, 2000; Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (2000) 275(3):783-788; WO2004/022709; EP1394274 (Example 11); US2004/018553 (claim 17); WO2003/008537 (claim 1); WO2002/81646 (claim 1; Page 164); WO2003/003906 (claim 10; Page 288); WO2001/40309 (Example 1; FIG. 17); US2001/055751 (Example 1; FIG. 1b); WO2000/32752 (claim 18; FIG. 1); WO98/51805 (claim 17; Page 97); WO98/51824 (claim 10; Page 94); WO98/40403 (claim 2; FIG. 1B); Accession: 043653; EMBL; AF043498; AAC39607.1

(25) GEDA

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AY260763

Genbank version no. AY260763.1 GI:30102448

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 02:24 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAP14954

Genbank version no. AAP14954.1 GI:30102449

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 02:24 AM

Cross References

AP14954 lipoma HMGIC fusion-partnerlike protein/pid=AAP14954.1—Homo sapiens (human); WO2003/054152 (claim 20); WO2003/000842 (claim 1); WO2003/023013 (Example 3, claim 20); US2003/194704 (claim 45); GI:30102449;

(26) BAFF-R (B Cell-Activating Factor Receptor, BLyS Receptor 3, BR3)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AF116456

Genbank version no. AF116456.1 GI:4585274

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 09:44 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAD25356

Genbank version no. AAD25356.1 GI:4585275

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 09:44 PM

Cross References

BAFF receptor/pid=NP_443177.1—Homo sapiens: Thompson, J. S., et al Science 293 (5537), 2108-2111 (2001); WO2004/058309; WO2004/011611; WO2003/045422 (Example; Page 32-33); WO2003/014294 (claim 35; FIG. 6B); WO2003/035846 (claim 70; Page 615-616); WO2002/94852 (Col 136-137); WO2002/38766 25 (claim 3; Page 133); WO2002/24909 (Example 3; FIG. 3); MIM:606269; NP_443177.1; NM_052945_1; AF132600

(27) CD22 (B-Cell Receptor CD22-B Isoform, BL-CAM, Lyb-8, Lyb8, SIGLEC-2, FLJ22814)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AK026467

Genbank version no. AK026467.1 GI:10439337

Genbank record update date: Sep. 11, 2006 11:24 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. BAB15489

Genbank version no. BAB15489.1 GI:10439338

Genbank record update date: Sep. 11, 2006 11:24 PM

Cross References

Wilson et al (1991) J. Exp. Med. 173:137-146; 30 WO2003/072036 (claim 1; FIG. 1); IM:107266; NP_001762.1; NM_001771_1.

(27a) CD22 (CD22 Molecule)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no X52785

Genbank version no. X52785.1 GI:29778

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:09 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAA36988

Genbank version no. CAA36988.1 GI:29779

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:09 AM

Cross References

Stamenkovic I. et al., Nature 345 (6270), 74-77 (1990)??

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD22

Other Aliases: SIGLEC-2, SIGLEC2

Other Designations: B-cell receptor CD22; B-lymphocyte cell adhesion molecule; BL-CAM; CD22 antigen; T-cell surface antigen Leu-14; sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin 2; sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 2

Antibodies

G5/44 (Inotuzumab): DiJoseph J F., et al Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2005 January; 54(1):11-24.

Epratuzumab—Goldenberg D M., et al Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 6(10): 1341-53, 2006.

(28) CD79a (CD79A, CD79alpha), Immunoglobulin-Associated Alpha, a B Cell-Specific Protein that Covalently Interacts with Ig Beta (CD79B) and Forms a Complex on the Surface with Ig M 35 Molecules, Transduces a Signal Involved in B-Cell Differentiation), pl: 4.84, MW: 25028 TM: [P] Gene Chromosome: 19q13.2). Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_001783

Genbank version no. NM_001783.3 GI:90193587

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:48 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001774

Genbank version no. NP_001774.1 GI:4502685

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:48 PM

Cross References

WO2003/088808, US2003/0228319; WO2003/062401 (claim 9); US2002/150573 (claim 4, pages 13-14); WO99/58658 (claim 13, FIG. 16); WO92/07574 (FIG. 1); U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,033; Ha et al (1992) J. Immunol. 148(5):1526-1531; Müller et al (1992) Eur. J. Immunol. 22:1621-1625; Hashimoto et al (1994) Immunogenetics 40(4):287-295; Preud'homme et al (1992) Clin. Exp. 5 Immunol. 90(1):141-146; Yu et al (1992) J. Immunol. 148(2) 633-637; Sakaguchi et al (1988) EMBO J. 7(11):3457-3464

(29) CXCR5 (Burkitt's Lymphoma Receptor 1, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor that is Activated by the CXCL13 Chemokine, Functions in Lymphocyte Migration and Humoral Defense, Plays a 10 Role in HIV-2 Infection and Perhaps Development of AIDS, Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Leukemia); 372 aa, pl: 8.54 MW: 41959 TM: 7 [P] Gene Chromosome: 11q23.3, Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_001716

Genbank version no. NM_001716.4 GI:342307092

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:49 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001707

Genbank version no. NP_001707.1 GI:4502415

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:49 PM

Cross References

WO2004/040000; WO2004/015426; US2003/105292 (Example 2); U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,339 (Example 2); WO2002/61087 (FIG. 1); WO2001/57188 (claim 20, page 269); WO2001/72830 (pages 12-13); WO2000/22129 (Example 1, pages 152-153, 15 Example 2, pages 254-256); WO99/28468 (claim 1, page 38); U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,021 (Example 2, col 49-52); WO94/28931 (pages 56-58); WO92/17497 (claim 7, FIG. 5); Dobner et al (1992) Eur. J. Immunol. 22:2795-2799; Barella et al (1995) Biochem. J. 309:773-779

(30) HLA-DOB (Beta Subunit of MHC Class II Molecule (Ia Antigen) that Binds Peptides and 20 Presents them to CD4+T Lymphocytes); 273 aa, pl: 6.56, MW: 30820. TM: 1 [P] Gene Chromosome: 6p21.3)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_002120

Genbank version no. NM_002120.3 GI:118402587

Genbank record update date: Sep. 8, 2012 04:46 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_002111

Genbank version no. NP_002111.1 GI:4504403

Genbank record update date: Sep. 8, 2012 04:46 PM

Cross References

Tonnelle et al (1985) EMBO J. 4(11):2839-2847; Jonsson et al (1989) Immunogenetics 29(6):411-413; Beck et al (1992) J. Mol. Biol. 228:433-441; Strausberg et al (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 99:16899-16903; Servenius et al (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262:8759-8766; Beck et al (1996) J. Mol. Biol. 25 255:1-13; Naruse et al (2002) Tissue Antigens 59:512-519; WO99/58658 (claim 13, FIG. 15); U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,408 (Col 35-38); U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,551 (col 168-170); U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,146 (col 145-146); Kasahara et al (1989) Immunogenetics 30(1):66-68; Larhammar et al (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260(26):14111-14119

(31) P2X5 (Purinergic Receptor P2X Ligand-Gated Ion Channel 5, an Ion Channel Gated by Extracellular ATP, May be Involved in Synaptic Transmission and Neurogenesis, Deficiency May Contribute to the Pathophysiology of Idiopathic Detrusor Instability); 422 aa), pl: 7.63, MW: 47206 TM: 1 [P] Gene Chromosome: 17p13.3). Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_002561

Genbank version no. NM_002561.3 GI:325197202

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:41 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_002552

Genbank version no. NP_002552.2 GI:28416933

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:41 AM

Cross References

Le et al (1997) FEBS Lett. 418(1-2):195-199; WO2004/047749; WO2003/072035 (claim 10); Touchman et al (2000) Genome Res. 10:165-173; WO2002/22660 (claim 20); WO2003/093444 (claim 1); WO2003/087768 (claim 1); WO2003/029277 (page 82)

(32) CD72 (8-Cell Differentiation Antigen CD72, Lyb-2); 359 aa, pl: 8.66, MW: 40225, TM: 1 5 [P] Gene Chromosome: 9p13.3).

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_001782

Genbank version no. NM_001782.2 GI:194018444

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:43 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001773

Genbank version no. NP_001773.1 GI:4502683

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 01:43 PM

Cross References

WO2004042346 (claim 65); WO2003/026493 (pages 51-52, 57-58); WO2000/75655 (pages 105-106); Von Hoegen et al (1990) J. Immunol. 144(12):4870-4877; Strausberg et al (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 99:16899-16903.

(33) LY64 (Lymphocyte Antigen 64 (RP105), Type I Membrane Protein of the Leucine Rich Repeat (LRR) Family, Regulates B-Cell Activation and Apoptosis, Loss of Function is Associated with Increased Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis); 661 aa, pl: 6.20, MW: 74147 TM: 1 [P] Gene Chromosome: 5q12). Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_005582

Genbank version no. NM_005582.2 GI:167555126

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:50 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_005573

Genbank version no. NP_005573.2 GI:167555127

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:50 PM

Cross References

US2002/193567; WO97/07198 (claim 11, pages 39-42); Miura et al (1996) 15 Genomics 38(3):299-304; Miura et al (1998) Blood 92:2815-2822; WO2003/083047; WO97/44452 (claim 8, pages 57-61); WO2000/12130 (pages 24-26).

(34) FcRH1 (Fc Receptor-Like Protein 1, a Putative Receptor for the Immunoglobulin Fc Domain that Contains C2 Type Ig-Like and ITAM Domains, May have a Role in B-Lymphocyte 20 Differentiation); 429 aa, pl: 5.28, MW: 46925 TM: 1 [P] Gene Chromosome: 1q21-1q22) Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_052938

Genbank version no. NM_052938.4 GI:226958543

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:43 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_443170

Genbank version no. NP_443170.1 GI:16418419

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:43 PM

Cross References

WO2003/077836; WO2001/38490 (claim 6, FIG. 18E-1-18-E-2); Davis et al (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 98(17):9772-9777; WO2003/089624 (claim 8); EP1347046 (claim 1); WO2003/089624 (claim 7).

(35) IRTA2 (Immunoglobulin Superfamily Receptor Translocation Associated 2, a Putative Immunoreceptor with Possible Roles in B Cell Development and Lymphoma Genesis; Deregulation of the Gene by Translocation Occurs in Some B Cell Malignancies); 977 aa, pl: 6.88, MW: 106468, TM: 1 [P] Gene Chromosome: 1q21) Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AF343662

Genbank version no. AF343662.1 GI:13591709

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:16 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAK31325

Genbank version no. AAK31325.1 GI:13591710

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:16 AM

Cross References

AF343663, AF343664, AF343665, AF369794, AF397453, AK090423, AK090475, AL834187, AY358085; Mouse:AK089756, AY158090, AY506558; NP_112571.1; WO2003/024392 (claim 2, FIG. 97); Nakayama et al (2000) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 277(1):124-127; WO2003/077836; WO2001/38490 (claim 3, FIG. 18B-1-18B-2).

(36) TENB2 (TMEFF2, Tomoregulin, TPEF, HPP1, TR, Putative Transmembrane 35 Proteoglycan, Related to the EGF/Heregulin Family of Growth Factors and Follistatin); 374 aa)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no AF179274

Genbank version no. AF179274.2 GI:12280939

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:05 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAD55776

Genbank version no. AAD55776.2 GI:12280940

Genbank record update date: Mar. 11, 2010 01:05 AM

Cross References

NCBI Accession: AAD55776, AAF91397, AAG49451, NCBI RefSeq: NP_057276; NCBI Gene: 23671; OMIM: 605734; SwissProt Q9UIK5; AY358907, CAF85723, CQ782436; WO2004/074320; JP2004113151; WO2003/042661; WO2003/009814; EP1295944 (pages 69-70); WO2002/30268 (page 329); WO2001/90304; US2004/249130; US2004/022727; WO2004/063355; US2004/197325; US2003/232350; 5 US2004/005563; US2003/124579; Horie et al (2000) Genomics 67:146-152; Uchida et al (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 266:593-602; Liang et al (2000) Cancer Res. 60:4907-12; Glynne-Jones et al (2001) Int J Cancer. October 15; 94(2):178-84.

(37) PSMA-FOLH1 (Folate Hydrolase (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen) 1)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M99487

Genbank version no. M99487.1 GI:190663

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA60209

Genbank version no. AAA60209.1 GI:190664

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Cross References

Israeli R. S., et al Cancer Res. 53 (2), 227-230 (1993)

Other Information

Official Symbol: FOLH1

Other Aliases: GIG27, FGCP, FOLH, GCP2, GCPII, NAALAD1, NAALAdase, PSM, PSMA, mGCP

Other Designations: N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase 1; N-acetylated-alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase I; NAALADase I; cell growth-inhibiting gene 27 protein; folylpoly-gamma-glutamate carboxypeptidase; glutamate carboxylase II; glutamate carboxypeptidase 2; glutamate carboxypeptidase II; membrane glutamate carboxypeptidase; prostate specific membrane antigen variant F; pteroylpoly-gamma-glutamate carboxypeptidase

Antibodies

U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,425:

Antibodies produces by Hybridomas having the following ATCC references:ATCC accession No. HB-12101, ATCC accession No. HB-12109, ATCC accession No. HB-12127 and ATCC accession No. HB-12126.

Proscan: a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of 8H12, 3E11, 17G1, 29B4, 30C1 and 20F2 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,564; Moffett S., et al Hybridoma (Larchmt). 2007 December; 26(6):363-72).

Cytogen: monoclonal antibodies 7E11-05 (ATCC accession No. HB 10494) and 9H10-A4 (ATCC accession No. HB11430)—U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,202

GlycoMimetics: NUH2—ATCC accession No. HB 9762 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,301)

Human Genome Science: HPRAJ70—ATCC accession No. 97131 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,993); Amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone (HPRAJ70) deposited as American Type Culture Collection (“ATCC”) Deposit No. 97131

Medarex: Anti-PSMA antibodies that lack fucosyl residues—U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,278

Mouse anti-PSMA antibodies include the 3F5.4G6, 3D7.1.1, 4E10-1.14, 3E11, 4D8, 3E6, 3C9, 2C7, 1G3, 3C4, 3C6, 4D4, 1G9, 5C8B9, 3G6, 4C8B9, and monoclonal antibodies. Hybridomas secreting 3F5.4G6, 3D7.1.1, 4E10-1.14, 3E11, 4D8, 3E6, 3C9, 2C7, 1G3, 3C4, 3C6, 4D4, 1 G9, 5C8B9, 3G6 or 4C8B9 have been publicly deposited and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,508. Relevant hybridomas have been publicly deposited and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,090. Moreover, humanized anti-PSMA antibodies, including a humanized version of J591, are described in further detail in PCT Publication WO 02/098897.

Other mouse anti-human PSMA antibodies have been described in the art, such as mAb 107-1A4 (Wang, S. et al. (2001) Int. J. Cancer 92:871-876) and mAb 2C9 (Kato, K. et al. (2003) Int. J. Urol. 10:439-444).

Examples of human anti-PSMA monoclonal antibodies include the 4A3, 7F12, 8C12, 8A11, 16F9, 2A10, 2C6, 2F5 and 1C3 antibodies, isolated and structurally characterized as originally described in PCT Publications WO 01/09192 and WO 03/064606 and in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/654,125, entitled “Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)”, filed on Feb. 18, 2005. The V.sub.H amino acid sequences of 4A3, 7F12, 8C12, 8A11, 16F9, 2A10, 2C6, 2F5 and 1C3 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1-9, respectively. The V.sub.L amino acid sequences of 4A3, 7F12, 8C12, 8A11, 16F9, 2A10, 2C6, 2F5 and 1C3 are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 10-18, respectively.

Other human anti-PSMA antibodies include the antibodies disclosed in PCT Publication WO 03/034903 and US Application No. 2004/0033229.

NW Biotherapeutics: A hybridoma cell line selected from the group consisting of 3F5.4G6 having ATCC accession number HB12060, 3D7-1.l. having ATCC accession number HB12309, 4E10-1.14 having ATCC accession number HB12310, 3E11 (ATCC HB12488), 4D8 (ATCC HB12487), 3E6 (ATCC HB12486), 3C9 (ATCC HB12484), 2C7 (ATCC HB12490), 1G3 (ATCC HB12489), 3C4 (ATCC HB12494), 3C6 (ATCC HB12491), 4D4 (ATCC HB12493), 1G9 (ATCC HB12495), 5C8B9 (ATCC HB12492) and 3G6 (ATCC HB12485)—see U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,508

PSMA Development Company/Progenics/Cytogen-Seattle Genetics: mAb 3.9, produced by the hybridoma deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-3258 or mAb 10.3, produced by the hybridoma deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-3347—U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,971

PSMA Development Company—Compositions of PSMA antibodies (US 20080286284, Table 1)

-   -   This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.         No. 10/395,894, filed on Mar. 21, 2003 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,971)

University Hospital Freiburg, Germany—mAbs 3/A12, 3/E7, and 3/F11 (Wolf P., et al Prostate. 2010 Apr. 1; 70(5):562-9).

(38) SST (Somatostatin Receptor; Note that there are 5 Subtypes)

(38.1) SSTR2 (Somatostatin Receptor 2)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_001050

Genbank version no. NM_001050.2 GI:44890054

Genbank record update date: Aug. 19, 2012 01:37 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001041

Genbank version no. NP_001041.1 GI:4557859

Genbank record update date: Aug. 19, 2012 01:37 PM

Cross References

Yamada Y., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89 (1), 251-255 (1992); Susini C., et al Ann Oncol. 2006 December; 17(12):1733-42

Other Information

Official Symbol: SSTR2

Other Designations: SRIF-1; SS2R; somatostatin receptor type 2

(38.2) SSTR5 (Somatostatin Receptor 5)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no D16827

Genbank version no. D16827.1 GI:487683

Genbank record update date: Aug. 1, 2006 12:45 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. BAA04107

Genbank version no. BAA04107.1 GI:487684

Genbank record update date: Aug. 1, 2006 12:45 PM

Cross References

Yamada, Y., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 195 (2), 844-852 (1993)

Other Information

Official Symbol: SSTR5

Other Aliases: SS-5-R

Other Designations: Somatostatin receptor subtype 5; somatostatin receptor type 5

(38.3) SSTR1

(38.4) SSTR3

(38.5) SSTR4

AvB6—Both Subunits (39+40)

(39) ITGAV (Integrin, Alpha V;

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M14648 J02826 M18365

Genbank version no. M14648.1 GI:340306

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:56 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA36808

Genbank version no. AAA36808.1 GI:340307

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:56 AM

Cross References

Suzuki S., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83 (22), 8614-8618 (1986)

Other Information

Official Symbol: ITGAV

Other Aliases: CD51, MSK8, VNRA, VTNR

Other Designations: antigen identified by monoclonal antibody L230; integrin alpha-V; integrin alphaVbeta3; integrin, alpha V (vitronectin receptor, alpha polypeptide, antigen CD51); vitronectin receptor subunit alpha

(40) ITGB6 (Integrin, Beta 6)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no NM_000888

Genbank version no. NM_000888.3 GI:9966771

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:46 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_000879

Genbank version no. NP_000879.2 GI:9625002

Genbank record update date: Jun. 27, 2012 12:46 AM

Cross References

Sheppard D. J., et al Biol. Chem. 265 (20), 11502-11507 (1990)

Other Information

Official Symbol: ITGB6

Other Designations: integrin beta-6

Antibodies

Biogen: U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,742—Hybridoma clones 6.3G9 and 6.8G6 were deposited with the ATCC, accession numbers ATCC PTA-3649 and -3645, respectively.

Biogen: U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,449—In some embodiments, the antibody comprises the same heavy and light chain polypeptide sequences as an antibody produced by hybridoma 6.1A8, 6.3G9, 6.8G6, 6.2B1, 6.2B10, 6.2A1, 6.2E5, 7.1G10, 7.7G5, or 7.105.

Centocor (J&J): U.S. Pat. No. 7,550,142; U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,681

-   -   For example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,550,142—an antibody having human         heavy chain and human light chain variable regions comprising         the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8.

Seattle Genetics: 15H3 (Ryan M C., et al Cancer Res Apr. 15, 2012; 72 (8 Supplement): 4630)

(41) CEACAM5 (Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 5)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M17303

Genbank version no. M17303.1 GI:178676

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAB59513

Genbank version no. AAB59513.1 GI:178677

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Cross References

Beauchemin N., et al Mol. Cell. Biol. 7 (9), 3221-3230 (1987)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CEACAM5

Other Aliases: CD66e, CEA

Other Designations: meconium antigen 100

Antibodies

AstraZeneca-MedImmune: US 20100330103; US20080057063;

-   -   US20020142359         -   for example an antibody having complementarity determining             regions (CDRs) with the following sequences: heavy chain;             CDR1—DNYMH, CDR2—WIDPENGDTE YAPKFRG, CDR3—LIYAGYLAMD Y; and             light chain CDR1—SASSSVTYMH, CDR2—STSNLAS, CDR3—QQRSTYPLT.         -   Hybridoma 806.077 deposited as European Collection of Cell             Cultures (ECACC) deposit no. 96022936.

Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.: U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,507

Bayer Corporation: U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,772

BioAlliance: U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,017; U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,605

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,605         -   an antibody comprising the heavy chain variable region             sequence from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and             the light chain variable region sequence from the amino acid             sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.         -   an antibody comprising the heavy chain variable region             sequence from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and             the light chain variable region sequence from the amino acid             sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.

Celltech Therapeutics Limited: U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,293

The Dow Chemical Company: U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,693; U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,337; U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,405

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,693—for example, ATCC No. CRL-11215     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,337—for example, ATCC CRL-12208     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,405—for example, ATCC CRL-12208

Immunomedics, Inc: U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,431; U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,084; U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,644; U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,300;

-   -   US20110189085         -   an antibody having CDRs of the light chain variable region             comprise: CDR1 comprises KASQDVGTSVA (SEQ ID NO: 20); CDR2             comprises WTSTRHT (SEQ ID NO: 21); and CDR3 comprises             QQYSLYRS (SEQ ID NO: 22);         -   and the CDRs of the heavy chain variable region of said             anti-CEA antibody comprise: CDR1 comprises TYWMS (SEQ ID NO:             23); CDR2 comprises EIHPDSSTINYAPSLKD (SEQ ID NO: 24); and             CDR3 comprises LYFGFPWFAY (SEQ ID NO: 25).     -   US20100221175; US20090092598; US20070202044; US20110064653;         US20090185974; US20080069775.         (42) MET (Met Proto-Oncogene; Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no M35073

Genbank version no. M35073.1 GI:187553

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 11:12 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA59589

Genbank version no. AAA59589.1 GI:553531

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 11:12 AM

Cross References

Dean M., et al Nature 318 (6044), 385-388 (1985)

Other Information

Official Symbol: MET

Other Aliases: AUTS9, HGFR, RCCP2, c-Met

Other Designations: HGF receptor; HGF/SF receptor; SF receptor; hepatocyte growth factor receptor; met proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase; proto-oncogene c-Met; scatter factor receptor; tyrosine-protein kinase Met

Antibodies

Abgenix/Pfizer: US20100040629

-   -   for example, the antibody produced by hybridoma 13.3.2 having         American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) accession number         PTA-5026; the antibody produced by hybridoma 9.1.2 having ATCC         accession number PTA-5027; the antibody produced by hybridoma         8.70.2 having ATCC accession number PTA-5028; or the antibody         produced by hybridoma 6.90.3 having ATCC accession number         PTA-5029.

Amgen/Pfizer: US20050054019

-   -   for example, an antibody comprising a heavy chain having the         amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 where X2 is         glutamate and X4 is serine and a light chain having the amino         acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 where X8 is alanine,         without the signal sequences; an antibody comprising a heavy         chain having the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6         and a light chain having the amino acid sequence set forth in         SEQ ID NO: 8, without the signal sequences; an antibody         comprising a heavy chain having the amino acid sequences set         forth in SEQ ID NO: 10 and a light chain having the amino acid         sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12, without the signal         sequences; or an antibody comprising a heavy chain having the         amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 and a light         chain having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16,         without the signal sequences.

Agouron Pharmaceuticals (Now Pfizer): US20060035907

Eli Lilly: US20100129369

Genentech: U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,292; US20100028337; US20100016241; US20070129301; US20070098707; US20070092520, US20060270594; US20060134104; US20060035278; US20050233960; US20050037431

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,292—for example, ATCC HB-11894 and ATCC         HB-11895     -   US 20100016241—for example, ATCC HB-11894 (hybridoma 1A3.3.13)         or HB-11895 (hybridoma 5D5.11.6)

National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan: Lu R M., et al Biomaterials. 2011 April; 32(12):3265-74.

Novartis: US20090175860

-   -   for example, an antibody comprising the sequences of CDR1, CDR2         and CDR3 of heavy chain 4687, wherein the sequences of CDR1,         CDR2, and CDR3 of heavy chain 4687 are residues 26-35, 50-65,         and 98-102, respectively, of SEQ ID NO: 58; and the sequences of         CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of light chain 5097, wherein the sequences         of CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 of light chain 5097 are residues 24-39,         55-61, and 94-100 of SEQ ID NO: 37.

Pharmacia Corporation: US20040166544

Pierre Fabre: US20110239316, US20110097262, US20100115639

Sumsung: US 20110129481—for example a monoclonal antibody produced from a hybridoma cell having accession number KCLRF-BP-00219 or accession number of KCLRF-BP-00223.

Samsung: US 20110104176—for example an antibody produced by a hybridoma cell having Accession Number: KCLRF-BP-00220.

University of Turin Medical School: DN-30 Pacchiana G., et al J Biol Chem. 2010 Nov. 12; 285(46):36149-57

Van Andel Research Institute: Jiao Y., et al Mol Biotechnol. 2005 September; 31(1):41-54.

(43) MUC1 (Mucin 1, Cell Surface Associated)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no J05581

Genbank version no. J05581.1 GI:188869

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA59876

Genbank version no. AAA59876.1 GI:188870

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:48 AM

Cross References

Gendler S. J., et al J. Biol. Chem. 265 (25), 15286-15293 (1990)

Other Information

Official Symbol: MUC1

Other Aliases: RP11-263K19.2, CD227, EMA, H23AG, KL-6, MAM6, MUC-1, MUC-1/SEC, MUC-1/X, MUC1/ZD, PEM, PEMT, PUM

Other Designations: DF3 antigen; H23 antigen; breast carcinoma-associated antigen DF3; carcinoma-associated mucin; episialin; krebs von den Lungen-6; mucin 1, transmembrane; mucin-1; peanut-reactive urinary mucin; polymorphic epithelial mucin; tumor associated epithelial mucin; tumor-associated epithelial membrane antigen; tumor-associated mucin

Antibodies

AltaRex—Quest Pharma Tech: U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,966—for example an Alt-1 antibody produced by the hybridoma ATCC No PTA-975.

AltaRex—Quest Pharma Tech: U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,850

CRT: 5E5—Sørensen A L., et al Glycobiology vol. 16 no. 2 pp. 96-107, 2006; HMFG2—Burchell J., et al Cancer Res., 47, 5476-5482 (1987)

Glycotope GT-MAB: GT-MAB 2.5-GEX (Website: http://www.glycotope.com/pipeline/pankomab-gex)

Immunogen: U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,346

-   -   for example, antibody MJ-170: hybridoma cell line MJ-170 ATCC         accession no. PTA-5286Monoclonal antibody MJ-171: hybridoma cell         line MJ-171 ATCC accession no. PTA-5287; monoclonal antibody         MJ-172: hybridoma cell line MJ-172 ATCC accession no. PTA-5288;         or monoclonal antibody MJ-173: hybridoma cell line MJ-173 ATCC         accession no. PTA-5302

Immunomedics: U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,104

Ramot Tel Aviv Uni: U.S. Pat. No. 7,897,351

Regents Uni. CA: U.S. Pat. No. 7,183,388; US20040005647; US20030077676.

Roche GlycArt: U.S. Pat. No. 8,021,856

Russian National Cancer Research Center: Imuteran—Ivanov P K., et al Biotechnol J. 2007 July; 2(7):863-70

Technische Univ Braunschweig: (11B6, HT186-B7, HT186-D11, HT186-G2, HT200-3A-C1, HT220-M-D1, HT220-M-G8)—Thie H., et al PLoS One. 2011 Jan. 14; 6(1):e15921

(44) CA9 (Carbonic Anhydrase IX)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. X66839

Genbank version no. X66839.1 GI:1000701

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:15 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAA47315

Genbank version no. CAA47315.1 GI:1000702

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:15 AM

Cross References

Pastorek J., et al Oncogene 9 (10), 2877-2888 (1994)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CA9

Other Aliases: CAIX, MN

Other Designations: CA-IX; P54/58N; RCC-associated antigen G250; RCC-associated protein G250; carbonate dehydratase IX; carbonic anhydrase 9; carbonic dehydratase; membrane antigen MN; pMW1; renal cell carcinoma-associated antigen G250

Antibodies

Abgenix/Amgen: US20040018198

Affibody: Anti-CAIX Affibody molecules

-   -   (http://www.affibody.com/en/Product-Portfolio/Pipeline/)

Bayer: U.S. Pat. No. 7,462,696

Bayer/Morphosys: 3ee9 mAb—Petrul H M., et al Mol Cancer Ther. 2012 February; 11(2):340-9

Harvard Medical School: Antibodies G10, G36, G37, G39, G45, G57, G106, G119, G6, G27, G40 and G125. Xu C., et al PLoS One. 2010 Mar. 10; 5(3):e9625

Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences (Bayer)—U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,075

-   -   for example, M75—ATCC Accession No. HB 11128 or MN12—ATCC         Accession No. HB 11647

Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences: U.S. Pat. No. 7,816,493

-   -   for example the M75 monoclonal antibody that is secreted from         the hybridoma VU-M75, which was deposited at the American Type         Culture Collection under ATCC No. HB 11128; or the V/10         monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma V/10-VU, which         was deposited at the International Depository Authority of the         Belgian Coordinated Collection of Microorganisms (BCCM) at the         Laboratorium voor Moleculaire Biologie-Plasmidencollectie (LMBP)         at the Universeit Gent in Gent, Belgium, under Accession No.         LMBP 6009CB.

Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences US20080177046; US20080176310; US20080176258; US20050031623

Novartis: US20090252738

Wilex: U.S. Pat. No. 7,691,375—for example the antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line DSM ASC 2526.

Wilex: US20110123537; Rencarex: Kennett R H., et al Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2003 February; 5(1):70-5

Xencor: US20090162382

(45) EGFRvIII (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), Transcript Variant 3,

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_201283

Genbank version no. NM_201283.1 GI:41327733

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_958440

Genbank version no. NP_958440.1 GI:41327734

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM

Cross-References

Batra S K., et al Cell Growth Differ 1995; 6:1251-1259.

Antibodies:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,986 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,644 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence         selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 142 and         variants & a light chain variable region amino acid sequence         selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 144 and         variants.

US20100111979 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, an antibody comprising a heavy chain amino acid         sequence comprising:     -   CDR1 consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting         of the amino acid sequences for the CDR1 region of antibodies         13.1.2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), 131 (SEQ ID NO: 2), 170 (SEQ ID NO: 4),         150 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 095 (SEQ ID NO: 7), 250 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 139         (SEQ ID NO: 10), 211 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 124 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 318         (SEQ ID NO: 15), 342 (SEQ ID NO: 16), and 333 (SEQ ID NO: 17);     -   CDR2 consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting         of the amino acid sequences for the CDR2 region of antibodies         13.1.2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), 131 (SEQ ID NO: 2), 170 (SEQ ID NO: 4),         150 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 095 (SEQ ID NO: 7), 250 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 139         (SEQ ID NO: 10), 211 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 124 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 318         (SEQ ID NO: 15), 342 (SEQ ID NO: 16), and 333 (SEQ ID NO: 17);         and     -   CDR3 consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting         of the amino acid sequences for the CDR3 region of antibodies         13.1.2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), 131 (SEQ ID NO: 2), 170 (SEQ ID NO: 4),         150 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 095 (SEQ ID NO: 7), 250 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 139         (SEQ ID NO: 10), 211 (SEQ ID NO: 12), 124 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 318         (SEQ ID NO: 15), 342 (SEQ ID NO: 16), and 333 (SEQ ID NO: 17).

US20090240038 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, an antibody having at least one of the heavy or         light chain polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence that         is at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence selected         from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ         ID NO: 142, SEQ ID NO: 144, and any combination thereof.

US20090175887 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, an antibody having a heavy chain amino acid         sequence selected from the group consisting of the heavy chain         amino acid sequence of antibody 13.1.2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), 131         (SEQ ID NO: 2), 170 (SEQ ID NO: 4), 150 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 095 (SEQ         ID NO: 7), 250 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 139 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 211 (SEQ ID         NO: 12), 124 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 318 (SEQ ID NO: 15), 342 (SEQ ID         NO: 16), and 333 (SEQ ID NO: 17).

US20090156790 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, antibody having heavy chain polypeptide and a light         chain polypeptide, wherein at least one of the heavy or light         chain polypeptides comprises an amino acid sequence that is at         least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from the         group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO:         142, SEQ ID NO: 144, and any combination thereof.

US20090155282, US20050059087 and US20050053608 (Amgen)

-   -   For example, an antibody heavy chain amino acid sequence         selected from the group consisting of the heavy chain amino acid         sequence of antibody 13.1.2 (SEQ ID NO: 138), 131 (SEQ ID NO:         2), 170 (SEQ ID NO: 4), 150 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 095 (SEQ ID NO: 7),         250 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 139 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 211 (SEQ ID NO: 12),         124 (SEQ ID NO: 13), 318 (SEQ ID NO: 15), 342 (SEQ ID NO: 16),         and 333 (SEQ ID NO: 17).

MR1-1 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,129,332; Duke)

-   -   For example, a variant antibody having the sequence of SEQ ID         NO. 18 with the substitutions S98P-T99Y in the CDR3 VH, and F92W         in CDR3 VL.

L8A4, H10, Y10 (Wikstrand C J., et al Cancer Res. 1995 Jul. 15; 55(14):3140-8; Duke)

US20090311803 (Harvard University)

-   -   For example, SEQ ID NO:9 for antibody heavy chain variable         region, and SEQ ID NO: 3 for light chain variable region amino         acid sequences

US20070274991 (EMD72000, also known as matuzumab; Harvard University)

-   -   For example, SEQ ID NOs: 3 & 9 for light chain and heavy chain         respectively

U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,915 (Schering)

-   -   For example, SEQ. ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

mAb CH12—Wang H., et al FASEB J. 2012 January; 26(1):73-80 (Shanghai Cancer Institute).

RAbDMvIII—Gupta P., et al BMC Biotechnol. 2010 Oct. 7; 10:72 (Stanford University Medical Center).

mAb Ua30—Ohman L., et al Tumour Biol. 2002 March-April; 23(2):61-9 (Uppsala University).

Han D G., et al Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2010 January; 30(1):25-9 (Xi'an Jiaotong University).

(46) CD33 (CD33 Molecule)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M_23197

Genbank version no. NM_23197.1 GI:180097

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA51948

Genbank version no. AAA51948.1 GI:188098

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Cross-References

Simmons D., et al J. Immunol. 141 (8), 2797-2800 (1988)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD33

Other Aliases: SIGLEC-3, SIGLEC3, p67

Other Designations: CD33 antigen (gp67); gp67; myeloid cell surface antigen CD33; sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin 3; sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin

Antibodies

H195 (Lintuzumab)—Raza A., et al Leuk Lymphoma. 2009 August; 50(8):1336-44; U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,045 (Seattle Genetics/Immunomedics)

mAb OKT9: Sutherland, D. R. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78(7): 4515-4519 1981, Schneider, C., et al J Biol Chem 257, 8516-8522 (1982)

mAb E6: Hoogenboom, H. R., et al J Immunol 144, 3211-3217 (1990)

U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,088 (Human Genome Sciences)

-   -   For example, SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 and ATCC accession no. 97521

U.S. Pat. No. 7,557,189 (Immunogen)

-   -   For example, an antibody or fragment thereof comprising a heavy         chain variable region which comprises three CDRs having the         amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and a light chain         variable region comprising three CDRs having the amino acid         sequences of SEQ ID NOs:4-6.         (47) CD19 (CD19 Molecule)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_001178098

Genbank version no. NM_001178098.1 GI:296010920

Genbank record update date: Sep. 10, 2012 12:43 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001171569

Genbank version no. NP_001171569.1 GI:296010921

Genbank record update date: Sep. 10, 2012 12:43 AM

Cross-References

Tedder T F., et al J. Immunol. 143 (2): 712-7 (1989)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD19

Other Aliases: B4, CVID3

Other Designations: B-lymphocyte antigen CD19; B-lymphocyte surface antigen B4; T-cell surface antigen Leu-12; differentiation antigen CD19

Antibodies

Immunogen: HuB4—Al-Katib A M., et al Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Jun. 15; 15(12):4038-45.

4G7: Kügler M., et al Protein Eng Des Sel. 2009 March; 22(3):135-47

-   -   For example, sequences in FIG. 3 of of Knappik, A. et al. J Mol         Biol 2000 February; 296(1):57-86

AstraZeneca/MedImmune: MEDI-551—Herbst R., et al J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2010 October; 335(1):213-22

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: GBR-401—Hou S., et al Mol Cancer Ther November 2011 10 (Meeting Abstract Supplement) C164

U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,304 (Immunomedics)

-   -   For example, an antibody comprising the sequence of hA19Vk (SEQ         ID NO:7) and the sequence of hA19VH (SEQ ID NO:10)

U.S. Pat. No. 7,902,338 (Immunomedics)

-   -   For example, an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof         that comprises the light chain complementarity determining         region CDR sequences CDR1 of SEQ ID NO: 16 (KASQSVDYDGDSYLN);         CDR2 of SEQ ID NO: 17 (DASNLVS); and CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18         (QQSTEDPWT) and the heavy chain CDR sequences CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:         19 (SYWMN); CDR2 of SEQ ID NO: 20 (QIWPGDGDTNYNGKFKG) and CDR3         of SEQ ID NO: 21 (RETTTVGRYYYAMDY) and also comprises human         antibody framework (FR) and constant region sequences with one         or more framework region amino acid residues substituted from         the corresponding framework region sequences of the parent         murine antibody, and wherein said substituted FR residues         comprise the substitution of serine for phenylalanine at Kabat         residue 91 of the heavy chain variable region.

Medarex: MDX-1342—Cardarelli P M., et al Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2010 February; 59(2):257-65.

MorphoSys/Xencor: MOR-208/XmAb-5574—Zalevsky J., et al Blood. 2009 Apr. 16; 113(16):3735-43

U.S. Pat. No. 7,968,687 (Seattle Genetics)

-   -   An antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprising a heavy chain         variable domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID         NO:9 and a light chain variable domain comprising the amino acid         sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.

4G7 chim—Lang P., et al Blood. 2004 May 15; 103(10):3982-5 (University of Tübingen)

-   -   For example, FIG. 6 and SEQ ID No: 80 of US20120082664

Zhejiang University School of Medicine: 2E8—Zhang J., et al J Drug Target. 2010 November; 18(9):675-8

(48) IL2RA (Interleukin 2 Receptor, Alpha); NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_000417.2);

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_000417

Genbank version no. NM_000417.2 GI:269973860

Genbank record update date: Sep. 9, 2012 04:59 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_000408

Genbank version no. NP_000408.1 GI:4557667

Genbank record update date: Sep. 9, 2012 04:59 PM

Cross-References

Kuziel W. A., et al J. Invest. Dermatol. 94 (6 SUPPL), 27S-32S (1990)

Other Information

Official Symbol: IL2RA

Other Aliases: RP11-536K7.1, CD25, IDDM10, IL2R, TCGFR

Other Designations: FIL-2 receptor subunit alpha; IL-2-RA; IL-2R subunit alpha; IL2-RA; TAC antigen; interleukin-2 receptor subunit alpha; p55

Antibodies

U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,487 (Novartis/UCL: Baxilisimab [Simulect])

U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,230 (Novartis/UCL: Baxilisimab [Simulect])

-   -   For example, an antibody having an antigen binding site         comprises at least one domain which comprises CDR1 having the         amino acid sequence in SEQ. ID. NO: 7, CDR2 having the amino         acid sequence in SEQ. ID. NO: 8, and CDR3 chaving the amino acid         sequence in SEQ. ID. NO: 9; or said CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 taken in         sequence as a whole comprise an amino acid sequence which is at         least 90% identical to SEQ. ID. NOs: 7, 8 and 9 taken in         sequence as a whole.

Daclizumab—Rech A J., et al Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 September; 1174:99-106 (Roche)

(49) AXL (AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M76125

Genbank version no. M76125.1 GI:292869

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:53 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA61243

Genbank version no. AAA61243.1 GI:29870

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:53 AM

Cross-References

O'Bryan J. P., et al Mol. Cell. Biol. 11 (10), 5016-5031 (1991); Bergsagel P. L., et al J. Immunol. 148 (2), 590-596 (1992)

Other Information

Official Symbol: AXL

Other Aliases: JTK11, UFO

Other Designations: AXL oncogene; AXL transforming sequence/gene; oncogene AXL; tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO

Antibodies

YW327.652—Ye X., et al Oncogene. 2010 Sep. 23; 29(38):5254-64. (Genentech)

BergenBio: BGB324 (http://www.bergenbio.com/BGB324)

(50) CD30—TNFRSF8 (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 8)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M83554

Genbank version no. M83554.1 GI:180095

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:53 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA51947

Genbank version no. AAA51947.1 GI:180096

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:53 AM

Cross-References

Durkop H., et al Cell 68 (3), 421-427 (1992)

Other Information

Official Symbol: TNFRSF8

Other Aliases: CD30, D1S166E, Ki-1

Other Designations: CD30L receptor; Ki-1 antigen; cytokine receptor CD30; lymphocyte activation antigen CD30; tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8

(51) BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen)-TNFRSF17 (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 17)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. Z29574

Genbank version no. Z29574.1 GI:471244

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:40 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAA82690

Genbank version no. CAA82690.1 GI:471245

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:40 AM

Cross-References

Laabi Y., et al Nucleic Acids Res. 22 (7), 1147-1154 (1994)

Other Information

Official Symbol: TNFRSF17

Other Aliases: BCM, BCMA, CD269

Other Designations: B cell maturation antigen; B-cell maturation factor; B-cell maturation protein; tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17

(52) CT Ags-CTA (Cancer Testis Antigens)

Cross-References

Fratta E., et al. Mol Oncol. 2011 April; 5(2):164-82; Lim S H., at al Am J Blood Res. 2012; 2(1):29-35.

(53) CD174 (Lewis Y)—FUT3 (Fucosyltransferase 3 (Galactoside 3(4)-L-Fucosyltransferase, Lewis Blood Group)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM000149

Genbank version no. NM000149.3 GI:148277008

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 04:49 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_000140

Genbank version no. NP_000140.1 GI:4503809

Genbank record update date: Jun. 26, 2012 04:49 PM

Cross-References

Kukowska-Latallo, J. F., et al Genes Dev. 4 (8), 1288-1303 (1990)

Other Information

Official Symbol: FUT3

Other Aliases: CD174, FT3B, FucT-III, LE, Les

Other Designations: Lewis FT; alpha-(1,3/1,4)-fucosyltransferase; blood group Lewis alpha-4-fucosyltransferase; fucosyltransferase III; galactoside 3(4)-L-fucosyltransferase

(54) CLEC14A (C-Type Lectin Domain Family 14, Member a; Genbank Accession No. NM175060)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM175060

Genbank version no. NM175060.2 GI:371123930

Genbank record update date: Apr. 1, 2012 03:34 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_778230

Genbank version no. NP_778230.1 GI:28269707

Genbank record update date: Apr. 1, 2012 03:34 PM

Other Information

Official Symbol: CLEC14A

Other Aliases: UNQ236/PRO269, C14orf27, CEG1, EGFR-5

Other Designations: C-type lectin domain family 14 member A; CIECT and EGF-like domain containing protein; epidermal growth factor receptor 5

(55) GRP78-HSPA5 (Heat Shock 70 kDa Protein 5 (Glucose-Regulated Protein, 78 kDa)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM005347

Genbank version no. NM005347.4 GI:305855105

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:42 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_005338

Genbank version no. NP_005338.1 GI:16507237

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:42 PM

Cross-References

Ting J., et al DNA 7 (4), 275-286 (1988)

Other Information

Official Symbol: HSPA5

Other Aliases: BIP, GRP78, MIF2

Other Designations: 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein; endoplasmic reticulum lumenal Ca(2+)-binding protein grp78; immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein

(56) CD70 (CD70 Molecule) L08096

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. L08096

Genbank version no. L08096.1 GI:307127

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2012 08:54 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA36175

Genbank version no. AAA36175.1 GI:307128

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2012 08:54 AM

Cross-References

Goodwin R. G., et al Cell 73 (3), 447-456 (1993)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD70

Other Aliases: CD27L, CD27LG, TNFSF7

Other Designations: CD27 ligand; CD27-L; CD70 antigen; Ki-24 antigen; surface antigen CD70; tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 7; tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 7

Antibodies

MDX-1411 against CD70 (Medarex)

h1F6 (Oflazoglu, E., et al, Clin Cancer Res. 2008 Oct. 1; 14(19):6171-80; Seattle Genetics)

-   -   For example, see US20060083736 SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 11 and 12 and         FIG. 1.         (57) Stem Cell Specific Antigens. For Example:     -   5T4 (see entry (63) below)     -   CD25 (see entry (48) above)     -   CD32         -   Polypeptide             -   Genbank accession no. ABK42161             -   Genbank version no. ABK42161.1 GI:117616286             -   Genbank record update date: Jul. 25, 2007 03:00 PM     -   LGR5/GPR49         -   Nucleotide             -   Genbank accession no. NM_003667             -   Genbank version no. NM_003667.2 GI:24475886             -   Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 03:38 PM         -   Polypeptide         -   Genbank accession no. NP_003658         -   Genbank version no. NP_003658.1 GI:4504379         -   Genbank record update date: Jul. 22, 2012 03:38 PM     -   Prominin/CD133         -   Nucleotide             -   Genbank accession no. NM_006017             -   Genbank version no. NM_006017.2 GI:224994187             -   Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM         -   Polypeptide             -   Genbank accession no. NP_006008             -   Genbank version no. NP_006008.1 GI:5174387             -   Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM                 (58) ASG-5                 Cross-References

(Smith L. M., et. al AACR 2010 Annual Meeting (abstract #2590); Gudas J. M., et. al. AACR 2010 Annual Meeting (abstract #4393)

Antibodies

Anti-AGS-5 Antibody: M6.131 (Smith, L. M., et. al AACR 2010 Annual Meeting (abstract #2590)

(59) ENPP3 (Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF005632

Genbank version no. AF005632.2 GI:4432589

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 09:41 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAC51813

Genbank version no. AAC51813.1 GI:2465540

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 09:41 PM

Cross-References

Jin-Hua P., et al Genomics 45 (2), 412-415 (1997)

Other Information

Official Symbol: ENPP3

Other Aliases: RP5-988G15.3, B10, CD203c, NPP3, PD-IBETA, PDNP3

Other Designations: E-NPP 3; dJ1005H11.3 (phosphodiesterase I/nucleotide pyrophosphatase 3); dJ914N13.3 (phosphodiesterase I/nucleotide pyrophosphatase 3); ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3; gp130RB13-6; phosphodiesterase I beta; phosphodiesterase I/nucleotide pyrophosphatase 3; phosphodiesterase-I beta

(60) PRR4 (Proline Rich 4 (Lacrimal))

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_007244

Genbank version no. NM_007244.2 GI:154448885

Genbank record update date: Jun. 28, 2012 12:39 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_009175

Genbank version no. NP_009175.2 GI:154448886

Genbank record update date: Jun. 28, 2012 12:39 PM

Cross-References

Dickinson D. P., et al Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 36 (10), 2020-2031 (1995)

Other Information

Official Symbol: PRR4

Other Aliases: LPRP, PROL4

Other Designations: lacrimal proline-rich protein; nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated proline-rich protein 4; proline-rich polypeptide 4; proline-rich protein 4

(61) GCC-GUCY2C (Guanylate Cyclase 2C (Heat Stable Enterotoxin Receptor)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_004963

Genbank version no. NM_004963.3 GI:222080082

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:50 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_004954

Genbank version no. NP_004954.2 GI:222080083

Genbank record update date: Sep. 2, 2012 01:50 PM

Cross-References

De Sauvage F. J., et al J. Biol. Chem. 266 (27), 17912-17918 (1991); Singh S., et al Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 179 (3), 1455-1463 (1991)

Other Information

Official Symbol: GUCY2C

Other Aliases: DIAR6, GUC2C, MUCIL, STAR

Other Designations: GC-C; STA receptor; guanylyl cyclase C; hSTAR; heat-stable enterotoxin receptor; intestinal guanylate cyclase

(62) Liv-1-SLC39A6 (Solute Carrier Family 39 (Zinc Transporter), Member 6)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. U41060

Genbank version no. U41060.2 GI:12711792

Genbank record update date: Nov. 30, 2009 04:35 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA96258

Genbank version no. AAA96258.2 GI:12711793

Genbank record update date: Nov. 30, 2009 04:35 PM

Cross-References

Taylor K M., et al Biochim Biophys Acta. 2003 Apr. 1; 1611 (1-2):16-30

Other Information

Official Symbol: SLC39A6

Other Aliases: LIV-1

Other Designations: LIV-1 protein, estrogen regulated; ZIP-6; estrogen-regulated protein LIV-1; solute carrier family 39 (metal ion transporter), member 6; solute carrier family 39 member 6; zinc transporter ZIP6; zrt- and lrt-like protein 6

(63) 5T4, Trophoblast Glycoprotein, TPBG-TPBG (Trophoblast Glycoprotein)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AJ012159

Genbank version no. AJ012159.1 GI:3805946

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 10:27 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAA09930

Genbank version no. CAA09930.1 GI:3805947

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 10:27 AM

Cross-References

King K. W., et al Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1445 (3), 257-270 (1999)

Other Information

-   -   Official Symbol: TPBG     -   Other Aliases: 5T4, 5T4AG, M6P1     -   Other Designations: 5T4 oncofetal antigen; 5T4 oncofetal         trophoblast glycoprotein; 5T4 oncotrophoblast glycoprotein         (64) CD56-NCMA1 (Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule 1)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_000615

Genbank version no. NM_000615.6 GI:336285433

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:32 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_000606

Genbank version no. NP 000606.3 GI:94420689

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:32 PM

Cross-References

Dickson, G., et al, Cell 50 (7), 1119-1130 (1987)

Other Information

Official Symbol: NCAM1

Other Aliases: CD56, MSK39, NCAM

Other Designations: antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 5.1H11; neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM

Antibodies

Immunogen: HuN901 (Smith S V., et al Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2005 August; 7(4):394-401)

-   -   For example, see humanized from murine N901 antibody. See FIG.         1b and 1e of Roguska, M. A., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA         February 1994; 91:969-973.         (65) CanAg (Tumor Associated Antigen CA242)         Cross-References

Haglund C., et al Br J Cancer 60:845-851, 1989; Baeckstrom D., et al J Biol Chem 266:21537-21547, 1991

Antibodies

huC242 (Tolcher A W et al., J Clin Oncol. 2003 Jan. 15; 21(2):211-22; Immunogen)

-   -   For example, see US20080138898A1 SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2         (66) FOLR1 (Folate Receptor 1)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. J05013

Genbank version no. J05013.1 GI:182417

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA35823

Genbank version no. AAA35823.1 GI:182418

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 AM

Cross-References

Elwood P. C., et al J. Biol. Chem. 264 (25), 14893-14901 (1989)

Other Information

Official Symbol: FOLR1

Other Aliases: FBP, FOLR

Other Designations: FR-alpha; KB cells FBP; adult folate-binding protein; folate binding protein; folate receptor alpha; folate receptor, adult; ovarian tumor-associated antigen MOv18

Antibodies

M9346A—Whiteman K R., et al Cancer Res Apr. 15, 2012; 72 (8 Supplement): 4628 (Immunogen)

(67) GPNMB (Glycoprotein (Transmembrane) nmb)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. X76534

Genbank version no. X76534.1 GI:666042

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:10 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAA54044

Genbank version no. CAA54044.1 GI:666043

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:10 AM

Cross-References

Weterman M. A., et al Int. J. Cancer 60 (1), 73-81 (1995)

Other Information

Official Symbol: GPNMB

Other Aliases: UNQ1725/PRO9925, HGFIN, NMB

Other Designations: glycoprotein NMB; glycoprotein nmb-like protein; osteoactivin; transmembrane glycoprotein HGFIN; transmembrane glycoprotein NMB

Antibodies

Celldex Therapeutics: CR011 (Tse K F., et al Clin Cancer Res. 2006 Feb. 15; 12(4):1373-82)

-   -   For example, see EP1827492B1 SEQ ID NO: 22, 24, 26, 31, 33 and         35         (68) TIM-1-HAVCR1 (Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF043724

Genbank version no. AF043724.1 GI:2827453

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 06:24 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAC39862

Genbank version no. AAC39862.1 GI:2827454

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 06:24 PM

Cross-References

Feigelstock D., et al J. Virol. 72 (8), 6621-6628 (1998)

Other Information

Official Symbol: HAVCR1

Other Aliases: HAVCR, HAVCR-1, KIM-1, KIM1, TIM, TIM-1, TIM1, TIMD-1, TIMD1

Other Designations: T cell immunoglobin domain and mucin domain protein 1; T-cell membrane protein 1; kidney injury molecule 1

(69) RG-1/Prostate Tumor Target Mindin—Mindin/RG-1

Cross-References

Parry R., et al Cancer Res. 2005 Sep. 15; 65(18):8397-405

(70) B7-H4-VTCN1 (V-Set Domain Containing T Cell Activation Inhibitor 1

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. BX648021

Genbank version no. BX648021.1 GI:34367180

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 08:40 AM

Cross-References

Sica G L., et al Immunity. 2003 June; 18(6):849-61

Other Information

Official Symbol: VTCN1

Other Aliases: RP11-229A19.4, B7-H4, B7H4, B7S1, B7X, B7h.5, PRO1291, VCTN1

Other Designations: B7 family member, H4; B7 superfamily member 1; T cell costimulatory molecule B7x; T-cell costimulatory molecule B7x; V-set domain-containing T-cell activation inhibitor 1; immune costimulatory protein B7-H4

(71) PTK7 (PTK7 Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF447176

Genbank version no. AF447176.1 GI:17432420

Genbank record update date: Nov. 28, 2008 01:51 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAL39062

Genbank version no. AAL39062.1 GI:17432421

Genbank record update date: Nov. 28, 2008 01:51 PM

Cross-References

Park S. K., et al J. Biochem. 119 (2), 235-239 (1996)

Other Information

Official Symbol: PTK7

Other Aliases: CCK-4, CCK4

Other Designations: colon carcinoma kinase 4; inactive tyrosine-protein kinase 7; pseudo tyrosine kinase receptor 7; tyrosine-protein kinase-like 7

(72) CD37 (CD37 Molecule)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_001040031

Genbank version no. NM_001040031.1 GI:91807109

Genbank record update date: Jul. 29, 2012 02:08 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001035120

Genbank version no. NP_001035120.1 GI:91807110

Genbank record update date: Jul. 29, 2012 02:08 PM

Cross-References

Schwartz-Albiez R., et al J. Immunol. 140 (3), 905-914 (1988)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD37

Other Aliases: GP52-40, TSPAN26

Other Designations: CD37 antigen; cell differentiation antigen 37; leukocyte antigen CD37; leukocyte surface antigen CD37; tetraspanin-26; tspan-26

Antibodies

Boehringer Ingelheim: mAb 37.1 (Heider K H., et al Blood. 2011 Oct. 13; 118(15):4159-68)

Trubion: CD37-SMIP (G28-1 scFv-Ig) ((Zhao X., et al Blood. 2007; 110: 2569-2577) For example, see US20110171208A1 SEQ ID NO: 253

Immunogen: K7153A (Deckert J., et al Cancer Res Apr. 15, 2012; 72 (8 Supplement): 4625)

(73) CD138-SDC1 (Syndecan 1)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AJ551176

Genbank version no. AJ551176.1 GI:29243141

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 12:09 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CAD80245

Genbank version no. CAD80245.1 GI:29243142

Genbank record update date: Feb. 1, 2011 12:09 PM

Cross-References

O'Connell F P., et al Am J Clin Pathol. 2004 February; 121(2):254-63

Other Information

Official Symbol: SDC1

Other Aliases: CD138, SDC, SYND1, syndecan

Other Designations: CD138 antigen; heparan sulfate proteoglycan fibroblast growth factor receptor; syndecan proteoglycan 1; syndecan-1

Antibodies

Biotest: chimerized MAb (nBT062)—(Jagannath S., et al Poster ASH #3060, 2010; WIPO

Patent Application WO/2010/128087)

-   -   For example, see US20090232810 SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2

Immunogen: B-B4 (Tassone P., et al Blood 104_3688-3696)

-   -   For example, see US20090175863A1 SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2         (74) CD74 (CD74 Molecule, Major Histocompatibility Complex,         Class II Invariant Chain)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_004355

Genbank version no. NM_004355.1 GI:343403784

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:30 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_004346

Genbank version no. NP_004346.1 GI:10835071

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:30 PM

Cross-References

Kudo, J., et al Nucleic Acids Res. 13 (24), 8827-8841 (1985)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD74

Other Aliases: DHLAG, HLADG, II, la-GAMMA

Other Designations: CD74 antigen (invariant polypeptide of major histocompatibility complex, class II antigen-associated); HLA class II histocompatibility antigen gamma chain; HLA-DR antigens-associated invariant chain; HLA-DR-gamma; la-associated invariant chain; MHC HLA-DR gamma chain; gamma chain of class II antigens; p33

Antibodies

Immunomedics: hLL1 (Milatuzumab)—Berkova Z., et al Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2010 January; 19(1):141-9)

-   -   For example, see US20040115193 SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23         and 24

Genmab: HuMax-CD74 (see website)

(75) Claudins-CLs (Claudins)

Cross-References

Offner S., et al Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2005 May; 54(5):431-45, Suzuki H., et al Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2012 July; 1258:65-70)

In humans, 24 members of the family have been described—see literature reference.

(76) EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_005228

Genbank version no. NM_005228.3 GI:41927737

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_005219

Genbank version no. NP_005219.2 GI:29725609

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:47 PM

Cross-References

Dhomen N S., et al Crit Rev Oncog. 2012; 17(1):31-50

Other Information

Official Symbol: EGFR

Other Aliases: ERBB, ERBB1, HER1, PIG61, mENA

Other Designations: avian erythroblastic leukemia viral (v-erb-b) oncogene homolog; cell growth inhibiting protein 40; cell proliferation-inducing protein 61; proto-oncogene c-ErbB-1; receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-1

Antibodies

BMS: Cetuximab (Erbitux)—Broadbridge V T., et al Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2012 May; 12(5):555-65.

-   -   For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,866—ATTC deposit No. 9764.

Amgen: Panitumumab (Vectibix)—Argiles G., et al Future Oncol. 2012 April; 8(4):373-89

-   -   For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,883 SEQ ID NOs: 23-38.

Genmab: Zalutumumab—Rivera F., et al Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2009 May; 9(5):667-74.

YM Biosciences: Nimotuzumab—Ramakrishnan M S., et al MAbs. 2009 January-February; 1(1):41-8.

-   -   For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,996 SEQ ID NOs: 27-34.         (77) Her3 (ErbB3)-ERBB3 (v-Erb-b2 Erythroblastic Leukemia Viral         Oncogene Homolog 3 (Avian))         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M34309

Genbank version no. M34309.1 GI:183990

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA35979

Genbank version no. AAA35979.1 GI:306841

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:47 PM

Cross-References

Plowman, G. D., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87 (13), 4905-4909 (1990)

Other Information

Official Symbol: ERBB3

Other Aliases: ErbB-3, HER3, LCCS2, MDA-BF-1, c-erbB-3, c-erbB3, erbB3-S, p180-ErbB3, p45-sErbB3, p85-sErbB3

Other Designations: proto-oncogene-like protein c-ErbB-3; receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-3; tyrosine kinase-type cell surface receptor HER3

Antibodies

Merimack Pharma: MM-121 (Schoeberl B., et al Cancer Res. 2010 Mar. 15; 70(6):2485-2494)

-   -   For example, see US2011028129 SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7         and 8.         (78) RON-MST1R (Macrophage Stimulating 1 Receptor (c-Met-Related         Tyrosine Kinase))         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. X70040

Genbank version no. X70040.1 GI:36109

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:17 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CCA49634

Genbank version no. CCA49634.1 GI:36110

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:17 PM

Cross-References

Ronsin C., et al Oncogene 8 (5), 1195-1202 (1993)

Other Information

Official Symbol: MST1R

Other Aliases: CD136, CDw136, PTK8, RON

Other Designations: MSP receptor; MST1R variant RON30; MST1R variant RON62; PTK8 protein tyrosine kinase 8; RON variant E2E3; c-met-related tyrosine kinase; macrophage-stimulating protein receptor; p185-Ron; soluble RON variant 1; soluble RON variant 2; soluble RON variant 3; soluble RONvariant 4

(79) EPHA2 (EPH Receptor A2)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. BCO37166

Genbank version no. BCO37166.2 GI:33879863

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 01:59 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAH37166

Genbank version no. AAH37166.1 GI:22713539

Genbank record update date: Mar. 6, 2012 01:59 PM

Cross-References

Strausberg R. L., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99 (26), 16899-16903 (2002)

Other Information

Official Symbol: EPHA2

Other Aliases: ARCC2, CTPA, CTPP1, ECK

Other Designations: ephrin type-A receptor 2; epithelial cell receptor protein tyrosine kinase; soluble EPHA2 variant 1; tyrosine-protein kinase receptor ECK

Antibodies

Medimmune: 1C1 (Lee J W., et al Clin Cancer Res. 2010 May 1; 16(9):2562-2570)

-   -   For example, see US20090304721A1 FIGS. 7 and 8.         (80) CD20-MS4A1 (Membrane-Spanning 4-Domains, Subfamily A,         Member 1)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M27394

Genbank version no. M27394.1 GI:179307

Genbank record update date: Nov. 30, 2009 11:16 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA35581

Genbank version no. AAA35581.1 GI:179308

Genbank record update date: Nov. 30, 2009 11:16 AM

Cross-References

Tedder T. F., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85 (1), 208-212 (1988)

Other Information

Official Symbol: MS4A1

Other Aliases: B1, Bp35, CD20, CVID5, LEU-16, MS4A2, S7

Other Designations: B-lymphocyte antigen CD20; B-lymphocyte cell-surface antigen B1; CD20 antigen; CD20 receptor; leukocyte surface antigen Leu-16

Antibodies

Genentech/Roche: Rituximab—Abdulla N E., et al BioDrugs. 2012 Apr. 1; 26(2):71-82.

-   -   For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137, ATCC deposit No.         HB-69119.

GSK/Genmab: Ofatumumab—Nightingale G., et al Ann Pharmacother. 2011 October; 45(10):1248-55.

-   -   For example, see US20090169550A1 SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4 and 5.

Immunomedics: Veltuzumab—Goldenberg D M., et al Leuk Lymphoma. 2010 May; 51(5):747-55.

-   -   For example, see US7919273B2 SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.         (81) Tenascin C-TNC (Tenascin C)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_002160

Genbank version no. NM_002160.3 GI:340745336

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:33 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_002151

Genbank version no. NP_002151.2 GI:153946395

Genbank record update date: Sep. 23, 2012 02:33 PM

Cross-References

Nies D. E., et al J. Biol. Chem. 266 (5), 2818-2823 (1991); Siri A., et al Nucleic Acids Res. 19 (3), 525-531 (1991)

Other Information

Official Symbol: TNC

Other Aliases: 150-225, GMEM, GP, HXB, JI, TN, TN-C

Other Designations: GP 150-225; cytotactin; glioma-associated-extracellular matrix antigen; hexabrachion (tenascin); myotendinous antigen; neuronectin; tenascin; tenascin-C isoform 14/AD1/16

Antibodies

Philogen: G11 (von Lukowicz T., et al J Nucl Med. 2007 April; 48(4):582-7) and F16 (Pedretti M., et al Lung Cancer. 2009 April; 64(1):28-33)

-   -   For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,968,685 SEQ ID NOs: 29, 35, 45         and 47.         (82) FAP (Fibroblast Activation Protein, Alpha)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. U09278

Genbank version no. U09278.1 GI:1888315

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 09:22 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAB49652

Genbank version no. AAB49652.1 GI:1888316

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 09:22 AM

Cross-References

Scanlan, M. J., et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91 (12), 5657-5661 (1994)

Other Information

Official Symbol: FAP

Other Aliases: DPPIV, FAPA

Other Designations: 170 kDa melanoma membrane-bound gelatinase; integral membrane serine protease; seprase

(83) DKK-1 (Dickkopf 1 Homolog (Xenopus laevis)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_012242

Genbank version no. NM_012242.2 GI:61676924

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:48 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_036374

Genbank version no. NP_036374.1 GI:7110719

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:48 PM

Cross-References

Fedi P. et al J. Biol. Chem. 274 (27), 19465-19472 (1999)

Other Information

Official Symbol: DKK1

Other Aliases: UNQ492/PRO1008, DKK-1, SK

Other Designations: dickkopf related protein-1; dickkopf-1 like; dickkopf-like protein 1; dickkopf-related protein 1; hDkk-1

Antibodies

Novartis: BHQ880 (Fulciniti M., et al Blood. 2009 Jul. 9; 114(2):371-379)

-   -   For example, see US20120052070A1 SEQ ID NOs: 100 and 108.         (84) CD52 (CD52 Molecule)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_001803

Genbank version no. NM_001803.2 GI:68342029

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:48 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_001794

Genbank version no. NP_001794.2 GI:68342030

Genbank record update date: Sep. 30, 2012 01:48 PM

Cross-References

Xia M. Q., et al Eur. J. Immunol. 21 (7), 1677-1684 (1991)

Other Information

Official Symbol: CD52

Other Aliases: CDW52

Other Designations: CAMPATH-1 antigen; CD52 antigen (CAMPATH-1 antigen); CDW52 antigen (CAMPATH-1 antigen); cambridge pathology 1 antigen; epididymal secretory protein E5; he5; human epididymis-specific protein 5

Antibodies

Alemtuzumab (Campath)—Skoetz N., et al Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb. 15; 2:CD008078.

-   -   For example, see Drugbank Acc. No. DB00087 (BIOD00109, BTD00109)         (85) CS1—SLAMF7 (SLAM Family Member 7)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. NM_021181

Genbank version no. NM_021181.3 GI:1993571

Genbank record update date: Jun. 29, 2012 11:24 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. NP_067004

Genbank version no. NP_067004.3 GI:19923572

Genbank record update date: Jun. 29, 2012 11:24 AM

Cross-References

Boles K. S., et al Immunogenetics 52 (3-4), 302-307 (2001)

Other Information

Official Symbol: SLAMF7

Other Aliases: UNQ576/PRO1138, 19A, CD319, CRACC, CS1

Other Designations: 19A24 protein; CD2 subset 1; CD2-like receptor activating cytotoxic cells; CD2-like receptor-activating cytotoxic cells; membrane protein FOAP-12; novel LY9 (lymphocyte antigen 9) like protein; protein 19A

Antibodies

BMS: elotuzumab/HuLuc63 (Benson D M., et al J Clin Oncol. 2012 Jun. 1; 30(16):2013-2015)

-   -   For example, see US20110206701 SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,         14, 15 and 16.         (86) Endoglin-ENG (Endoglin)         Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. AF035753

Genbank version no. AF035753.1 GI:3452260

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 06:36 PM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAC32802

Genbank version no. AAC32802.1 GI:3452261

Genbank record update date: Mar. 10, 2010 06:36 PM

Cross-References

Rius C., et al Blood 92 (12), 4677-4690 (1998)

Official Symbol: ENG

Other Information

Other Aliases: RP11-228B15.2, CD105, END, HHT1, ORW, ORW1

Other Designations: CD105 antigen

(87) Annexin A1-ANXA1 (Annexin A1)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. X05908

Genbank version no. X05908.1 GI:34387

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:02 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. CCA29338

Genbank version no. CCA29338.1 GI:34388

Genbank record update date: Feb. 2, 2011 10:02 AM

Cross-References

Wallner B. P., et al Nature 320 (6057), 77-81 (1986)

Other Information

Official Symbol: ANXA1

Other Aliases: RP11-71A24.1, ANX1, LPC1

Other Designations: annexin I (lipocortin I); annexin-1; calpactin II; calpactin-2; chromobindin-9; lipocortin I; p35; phospholipase A2 inhibitory protein

(88) V-CAM (CD106)-VCAM1 (Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1)

Nucleotide

Genbank accession no. M60335

Genbank version no. M60335.1 GI:340193

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:56 AM

Polypeptide

Genbank accession no. AAA61269

Genbank version no. AAA61269.1 GI:340194

Genbank record update date: Jun. 23, 2010 08:56 AM

Cross-References

Hession C., et al J. Biol. Chem. 266 (11), 6682-6685 (1991)

Other Information

Official Symbol VCAM1

Other Aliases: CD106, INCAM-100

Other Designations: CD106 antigen; vascular cell adhesion protein 1

Antibody Sequences

Anti-Integrin αvβ6 RHAB6.2 QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKISCKASGFAFTDSYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWIDPENGDTE YAPKFQGRFVFSLDTSVSTAYLQISSLKAEDTAVYYCTRGTPTAVPNLRGDLQVLAQKVAG PYPFDYWGQGTLVTVSS RHCB6.2 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFIDSYMHWVRQAPGQRLEWMGWIDPENGDTE YAPKFQGRVTITTDTSASTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARGTPTAVPNLRGDLQVLAQKVAG PYPFDYWGQGTLVTVSS RHF QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGFNFIDSYMHWVRQAPGQRLEWMGWIDPENGDT EYAPKFQGRVTFTTDTSASTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCNEGTPTGPYYFDYWGQGTLVTV SS RHFB6 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGFNFIDSYMHWVRQAPGQRLEWMGWIDPENGDT EYAPKFQGRVTFTTDTSASTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCNEGTPTAVPNLRGDLQVLAQKVA GPYYFDYWGQGTLVTVSS RHAY100bP QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKISCKASGFAFTDSYMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWIDPENGDTE YAPKFQGRFVFSLDTSVSTAYLQISSLKAEDTAVYYCTRGTPTGPYPFDYWGQGTLVTVSS RKF ENVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCSASSSVSYMHWFQQKPGQAPRLLIYSTSNLASGIPDRF SGSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCQQRSSYPLTFGGGTKVEIK RKFL36L50 ENVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCSASSSVSYMHWLQQKPGQAPRLLIYLTSNLASGIPDRF SGSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCQQRSSYPLTFGGGTKVEIK RKC EIVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCSASSSVSYMHWFQQKPGQAPRLLIYSTSNLASGIPDRFS GSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCQQRSSYPLTFGGGTKVEIK Anti-CD33 CD33 Hum195 VH QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYNMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGYIYPYNGGTG YNQKFKSKATITADESTNTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCARGRPAMDYWGQGTLVTVSS CD33 Hum195 VK DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASESVDNYGISFMNWFQQKPGKAPKLLIYAASNQGSG VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCQQSKEVPWTFGQGTKVEIK Anti-CD19 CD19 B4 resurfaced VH QVQLVQPGAEVVKPGASVKLSCKTSGYTFTSNWMHWVKQRPGQGLEWIGEIDPSDSYTN YNQNFKGKAKLTVDKSTSTAYMEVSSLRSDDTAVYYCARGSNPYYYAMDYWGQGTSVTV SS CD19 B4 resurfaced VK EIVLTQSPAIMSASPGERVTMTCSASSGVNYMHWYQQKPGTSPRRWIYDTSKLASGVPAR FSGSGSGTSYSLTISSMEPEDAATYYCHQRGSYTFGGGTKLEIK Anti-Her2 Herceptin VH chain EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFNIKDTYIHEWVRQAPGKGLEWVARIYPTNGYTRY ADSVKGRFTISADTSKNTAYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCSRWGGDGFYAMDYWGQGTLVTVSS Herceptin VL chain DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQDVNTAVAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSASFLYSGVPSR FSGSRSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQHYTTPPTFGQGTKVEIK Anti-CD25 Simulect VK (also known as Basiliximab) QIVSTQSPAIMSASPGEKVTMTCSASSSRSYMQWYQQKPGTSPKRWIYDTSKLASGVPAR FSGSGSGTSYSLTISSMEAEDAATYYCHQRSSYTFGGGTKLEIK Simulect VH QLQQSGTVLARPGASVKMSCKASGYSFTRYWMHWIKQRPGQGLEWIGAIYPGNSDTSYN QKFEGKAKLTAVTSASTAYMELSSLTHEDSAVYYCSRDYGYYFDFWGQGTTLTVSS Anti-PSMA Deimmunised VH ′1 EVQLVQSGPEVKKPGATVKISCKTSGYTFTEYTIHWVKQAPGKGLEWIGNINPNNGGTTYN QKFEDKATLTVDKSTDTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAAGWNFDYWGQGTLLTVSS Deimmunised VK ′1 DIQMTQSPSSLSTSVGDRVTLTCKASQDVGTAVDWYQQKPGPSPKLLIYWASTRHTGIPSR FSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFADYYCQQYNSYPLTFGPGTKVDIK Deimmunised VH1 ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSMKLSCVASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNF ATHYAESVKGRVTISRDDSKSIVYLQMNNLRAEDTGVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Deimmunised VH2 ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCVASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVTISRDDSKSIVYLQMNNLRAEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Deimmunised VH3 ′5 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCVASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVTISRDDSKSIVYLQMNNLRAEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Deimmunised VH4 ′5 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCVASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRFTISRDDSKSIVYLQMNNLRAEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Deimmunised VK1 ′5 NIVMTQFPSSMSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPDQSPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPD RFTGSGSATDFTLTISSLQTEDLADYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKLEMK Deimmunised VK2 ′5 NIVMTQFPSSMSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPDQSPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPD RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDLADYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKLEIK Deimmunised VK3 ′5 NIQMTQFPSAMSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPDQSPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPD RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDLADYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKLEIK Deimmunised VK4 ′5 NIQMTQFPSAMSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPDQSPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPD RFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDEADYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKLEIK Deimmunised VK DI ′5 NIVMTQFPKSMSASAGERMTLTCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPTQSPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPD RFSGSGSGTDFILTISSVQAEDLVDYYCGQSYTFPYTFGGGTKLEMK Deimmunised VH DI ′5 EVKLEESGGGLVQPGGSMKISCVASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQSPEKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKSSVYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHA ′5 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVGEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRFTISRDDSKNTAYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHB ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKNTVYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHC ′5 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKNTVYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHD ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVGEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKNTVYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHE ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRFTISRDDSKNTVYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHF ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKNTAYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RHG ′5 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASGFTFSNYWMNWVRQASGKGLEWVAEIRSQSNNFA THYAESVKGRVIISRDDSKNTAYLQMNSLRTEDTAVYYCTRRWNNFWGQGTTVTVSS Humanised RKA ′5 DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKLLIYGASNRFTGVPSR FSGSGSATDFTLTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKB ′5 DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKLLIYGASNRFTGVPSR FSGSGSATDFTLTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKC ′5 DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPS RFSGSGSATDFTLTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKD ′5 DIQMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPS RFSGSGSATDFTLTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKE ′5 NIVMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKLLIYGASNRFTGVPDR FTGSGSATDFILTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKF ′5 NIVMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPSR FSGSGSATDFILTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK Humanised RKG ′5 NIVMTQSPSSVSASVGDRVTITCKASENVGTYVSWYQQKPGTAPKMLIYGASNRFTGVPDR FTGSGSATDFTLTINNLQPEDFATYYCGQSYTFPYTFGQGTKVEIK

The parent antibody may also be a fusion protein comprising an albumin-binding peptide (ABP) sequence (Dennis et al. (2002) “Albumin Binding As A General Strategy For Improving The Pharmacokinetics Of Proteins” J Biol Chem. 277:35035-35043; WO 01/45746). Antibodies of the invention include fusion proteins with ABP sequences taught by: (i) Dennis et al (2002) J Biol Chem. 277:35035-35043 at Tables III and IV, page 35038; (ii) US 2004/0001827 at [0076]; and (iii) WO 01/45746 at pages 12-13, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the antibody has been raised to target specific the tumour related antigen α_(v)β₆.

The cell binding agent may be labelled, for example to aid detection or purification of the agent either prior to incorporation as a conjugate, or as part of the conjugate. The label may be a biotin label. In another embodiment, the cell binding agent may be labelled with a radioisotope.

The cell binding agent is connected to the linker. In one embodiment, the cell binding agent is connected to A, where present, of the linker.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and the linker is through a thioether bond.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and the linker is through a disulfide bond.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and the linker is through an amide bond.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and the linker is through an ester bond.

In one embodiment, the connection between the cell binding agent and the linker is formed between a thiol group of a cysteine residue of the cell binding agent and a maleimide group of the linker.

The cysteine residues of the cell binding agent may be available for reaction with the functional group of R^(L) to form a connection. In other embodiments, for example where the cell binding agent is an antibody, the thiol groups of the antibody may participate in interchain disulfide bonds. These interchain bonds may be converted to free thiol groups by e.g. treatment of the antibody with DTT prior to reaction with the functional group of R^(L).

The cell binding agent may be labelled, for example to aid detection or purification of the agent either prior to incorporation as a conjugate, or as part of the conjugate. The label may be a biotin label. In another embodiment, the cell binding agent may be labelled with a radioisotope.

Drug Loading

The drug loading is the average number of PBD drugs per cell binding agent, e.g. antibody. Where the compounds of the invention are bound to cysteines, drug loading may range from 1 to 8 drugs (D) per cell binding agent, i.e. where 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 drug moieties are covalently attached to the cell binding agent. Compositions of conjgates include collections of cell binding agents, e.g. antibodies, conjugated with a range of drugs, from 1 to 8. Where the compounds of the invention are bound to lysines, drug loading may range from 1 to 80 drugs (D) per cell binding agent, although an upper limit of 40, 20, 10 or 8 may be preferred. Compositions of conjgates include collections of cell binding agents, e.g. antibodies, conjugated with a range of drugs, from 1 to 80, 1 to 40, 1 to 20, 1 to 10 or 1 to 8.

The average number of drugs per antibody in preparations of ADC from conjugation reactions may be characterized by conventional means such as UV, reverse phase HPLC, HIC, mass spectroscopy, ELISA assay, and electrophoresis. The quantitative distribution of ADC in terms of p may also be determined. By ELISA, the averaged value of p in a particular preparation of ADC may be determined (Hamblett et al (2004) Clin. Cancer Res. 10:7063-7070; Sanderson et al (2005) Clin. Cancer Res. 11:843-852). However, the distribution of p (drug) values is not discernible by the antibody-antigen binding and detection limitation of ELISA. Also, ELISA assay for detection of antibody-drug conjugates does not determine where the drug moieties are attached to the antibody, such as the heavy chain or light chain fragments, or the particular amino acid residues. In some instances, separation, purification, and characterization of homogeneous ADC where p is a certain value from ADC with other drug loadings may be achieved by means such as reverse phase HPLC or electrophoresis. Such techniques are also applicable to other types of conjugates.

For some antibody-drug conjugates, p may be limited by the number of attachment sites on the antibody. For example, an antibody may have only one or several cysteine thiol groups, or may have only one or several sufficiently reactive thiol groups through which a linker may be attached. Higher drug loading, e.g. p>5, may cause aggregation, insolubility, toxicity, or loss of cellular permeability of certain antibody-drug conjugates.

Typically, fewer than the theoretical maximum of drug moieties are conjugated to an antibody during a conjugation reaction. An antibody may contain, for example, many lysine residues that do not react with the drug-linker intermediate (D-L) or linker reagent. Only the most reactive lysine groups may react with an amine-reactive linker reagent. Also, only the most reactive cysteine thiol groups may react with a thiol-reactive linker reagent. Generally, antibodies do not contain many, if any, free and reactive cysteine thiol groups which may be linked to a drug moiety. Most cysteine thiol residues in the antibodies of the compounds exist as disulfide bridges and must be reduced with a reducing agent such as dithiothreitol (DTT) or TCEP, under partial or total reducing conditions. The loading (drug/antibody ratio) of an ADC may be controlled in several different manners, including: (i) limiting the molar excess of drug-linker intermediate (D-L) or linker reagent relative to antibody, (ii) limiting the conjugation reaction time or temperature, and (iii) partial or limiting reductive conditions for cysteine thiol modification.

Certain antibodies have reducible interchain disulfides, i.e. cysteine bridges. Antibodies may be made reactive for conjugation with linker reagents by treatment with a reducing agent such as DTT (dithiothreitol). Each cysteine bridge will thus form, theoretically, two reactive thiol nucleophiles. Additional nucleophilic groups can be introduced into antibodies through the reaction of lysines with 2-iminothiolane (Traut's reagent) resulting in conversion of an amine into a thiol. Reactive thiol groups may be introduced into the antibody (or fragment thereof) by engineering one, two, three, four, or more cysteine residues (e.g., preparing mutant antibodies comprising one or more non-native cysteine amino acid residues). U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,541 teaches engineering antibodies by introduction of reactive cysteine amino acids.

Cysteine amino acids may be engineered at reactive sites in an antibody and which do not form intrachain or intermolecular disulfide linkages (Junutula, et al., 2008b Nature Biotech., 26(8):925-932; Dornan et al (2009) Blood 114(13):2721-2729; U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,541; U.S. Pat. No. 7,723,485; WO2009/052249). The engineered cysteine thiols may react with linker reagents or the drug-linker reagents of the present invention which have thiol-reactive, electrophilic groups such as maleimide or alpha-halo amides to form ADC with cysteine engineered antibodies and the PBD drug moieties. The location of the drug moiety can thus be designed, controlled, and known. The drug loading can be controlled since the engineered cysteine thiol groups typically react with thiol-reactive linker reagents or drug-linker reagents in high yield. Engineering an IgG antibody to introduce a cysteine amino acid by substitution at a single site on the heavy or light chain gives two new cysteines on the symmetrical antibody. A drug loading near 2 can be achieved with near homogeneity of the conjugation product ADC.

Where more than one nucleophilic or electrophilic group of the antibody reacts with a drug-linker intermediate, or linker reagent followed by drug moiety reagent, then the resulting product is a mixture of ADC compounds with a distribution of drug moieties attached to an antibody, e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc. Liquid chromatography methods such as polymeric reverse phase (PLRP) and hydrophobic interaction (HIC) may separate compounds in the mixture by drug loading value. Preparations of ADC with a single drug loading value (p) may be isolated, however, these single loading value ADCs may still be heterogeneous mixtures because the drug moieties may be attached, via the linker, at different sites on the antibody.

Thus the antibody-drug conjugate compositions of the invention include mixtures of antibody-drug conjugate compounds where the antibody has one or more PBD drug moieties and where the drug moieties may be attached to the antibody at various amino acid residues.

In one embodiment, the average number of dimer pyrrolobenzodiazepine groups per cell binding agent is in the range 1 to 20. In some embodiments the range is selected from 1 to 8, 2 to 8, 2 to 6, 2 to 4, and 4 to 8.

In some embodiments, there is one dimer pyrrolobenzodiazepine group per cell binding agent.

Includes Other Forms

Unless otherwise specified, included in the above are the well known ionic, salt, solvate, and protected forms of these substituents. For example, a reference to carboxylic acid (—COOH) also includes the anionic (carboxylate) form (—COO⁻), a salt or solvate thereof, as well as conventional protected forms. Similarly, a reference to an amino group includes the protonated form (—N⁺HR¹R²), a salt or solvate of the amino group, for example, a hydrochloride salt, as well as conventional protected forms of an amino group. Similarly, a reference to a hydroxyl group also includes the anionic form (—O⁻), a salt or solvate thereof, as well as conventional protected forms.

Salts

It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle a corresponding salt of the active compound, for example, a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are discussed in Berge, et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 66, 1-19 (1977).

For example, if the compound is anionic, or has a functional group which may be anionic (e.g. —COOH may be —COO⁻), then a salt may be formed with a suitable cation. Examples of suitable inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na⁺ and K⁺, alkaline earth cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and other cations such as Al⁺³. Examples of suitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e. NH₄ ⁺) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g. NH₃R⁺, NH₂R₂ ⁺, NHR₃ ⁺, NR₄ ⁺). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine. An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH₃)₄ ⁺.

If the compound is cationic, or has a functional group which may be cationic (e.g. —NH₂ may be —NH₃ ⁺), then a salt may be formed with a suitable anion. Examples of suitable inorganic anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following inorganic acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric, sulfurous, nitric, nitrous, phosphoric, and phosphorous.

Examples of suitable organic anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following organic acids: 2-acetyoxybenzoic, acetic, ascorbic, aspartic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, cinnamic, citric, edetic, ethanedisulfonic, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, glucheptonic, gluconic, glutamic, glycolic, hydroxymaleic, hydroxynaphthalene carboxylic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, lauric, maleic, malic, methanesulfonic, mucic, oleic, oxalic, palmitic, pamoic, pantothenic, phenylacetic, phenylsulfonic, propionic, pyruvic, salicylic, stearic, succinic, sulfanilic, tartaric, toluenesulfonic, trifluoroacetic acid and valeric. Examples of suitable polymeric organic anions include, but are not limited to, those derived from the following polymeric acids: tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose.

Solvates

It may be convenient or desirable to prepare, purify, and/or handle a corresponding solvate of the active compound. The term “solvate” is used herein in the conventional sense to refer to a complex of solute (e.g. active compound, salt of active compound) and solvent. If the solvent is water, the solvate may be conveniently referred to as a hydrate, for example, a mono-hydrate, a di-hydrate, a tri-hydrate, etc.

The invention includes compounds where a solvent adds across the imine bond of the PBD moiety, which is illustrated below where the solvent is water or an alcohol (R^(A)OH, where R^(A) is C₁₋₄ alkyl):

These forms can be called the carbinolamine and carbinolamine ether forms of the PBD (as described in the section relating to R¹⁰ above). The balance of these equilibria depend on the conditions in which the compounds are found, as well as the nature of the moiety itself.

These particular compounds may be isolated in solid form, for example, by lyophilisation.

Isomers

Certain compounds of the invention may exist in one or more particular geometric, optical, enantiomeric, diasteriomeric, epimeric, atropic, stereoisomeric, tautomeric, conformational, or anomeric forms, including but not limited to, cis- and trans-forms; E- and Z-forms; c-, t-, and r-forms; endo- and exo-forms; R-, S-, and meso-forms; D- and L-forms; d- and l-forms; (+) and (−) forms; keto-, enol-, and enolate-forms; syn- and anti-forms; synclinal- and anticlinal-forms; α- and β-forms; axial and equatorial forms; boat-, chair-, twist-, envelope-, and halfchair-forms; and combinations thereof, hereinafter collectively referred to as “isomers” (or “isomeric forms”).

The term “chiral” refers to molecules which have the property of non-superimposability of the mirror image partner, while the term “achiral” refers to molecules which are superimposable on their mirror image partner.

The term “stereoisomers” refers to compounds which have identical chemical constitution, but differ with regard to the arrangement of the atoms or groups in space.

“Diastereomer” refers to a stereoisomer with two or more centers of chirality and whose molecules are not mirror images of one another. Diastereomers have different physical properties, e.g. melting points, boiling points, spectral properties, and reactivities. Mixtures of diastereomers may separate under high resolution analytical procedures such as electrophoresis and chromatography.

“Enantiomers” refer to two stereoisomers of a compound which are non-superimposable mirror images of one another.

Stereochemical definitions and conventions used herein generally follow S. P. Parker, Ed., McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Chemical Terms (1984) McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York; and Eliel, E. and Wilen, S., “Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1994. The compounds of the invention may contain asymmetric or chiral centers, and therefore exist in different stereoisomeric forms. It is intended that all stereoisomeric forms of the compounds of the invention, including but not limited to, diastereomers, enantiomers and atropisomers, as well as mixtures thereof such as racemic mixtures, form part of the present invention. Many organic compounds exist in optically active forms, i.e., they have the ability to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. In describing an optically active compound, the prefixes D and L, or R and S, are used to denote the absolute configuration of the molecule about its chiral center(s). The prefixes d and l or (+) and (−) are employed to designate the sign of rotation of plane-polarized light by the compound, with (−) or l meaning that the compound is levorotatory. A compound prefixed with (+) or d is dextrorotatory. For a given chemical structure, these stereoisomers are identical except that they are mirror images of one another. A specific stereoisomer may also be referred to as an enantiomer, and a mixture of such isomers is often called an enantiomeric mixture. A 50:50 mixture of enantiomers is referred to as a racemic mixture or a racemate, which may occur where there has been no stereoselection or stereospecificity in a chemical reaction or process. The terms “racemic mixture” and “racemate” refer to an equimolar mixture of two enantiomeric species, devoid of optical activity.

Note that, except as discussed below for tautomeric forms, specifically excluded from the term “isomers”, as used herein, are structural (or constitutional) isomers (i.e. isomers which differ in the connections between atoms rather than merely by the position of atoms in space). For example, a reference to a methoxy group, —OCH₃, is not to be construed as a reference to its structural isomer, a hydroxymethyl group, —CH₂OH. Similarly, a reference to ortho-chlorophenyl is not to be construed as a reference to its structural isomer, meta-chlorophenyl. However, a reference to a class of structures may well include structurally isomeric forms falling within that class (e.g. C₁₋₇ alkyl includes n-propyl and iso-propyl; butyl includes n-, iso-, sec-, and tert-butyl; methoxyphenyl includes ortho-, meta-, and para-methoxyphenyl).

The above exclusion does not pertain to tautomeric forms, for example, keto-, enol-, and enolate-forms, as in, for example, the following tautomeric pairs: keto/enol (illustrated below), imine/enamine, amide/imino alcohol, amidine/amidine, nitroso/oxime, thioketone/enethiol, N-nitroso/hyroxyazo, and nitro/aci-nitro.

The term “tautomer” or “tautomeric form” refers to structural isomers of different energies which are interconvertible via a low energy barrier. For example, proton tautomers (also known as prototropic tautomers) include interconversions via migration of a proton, such as keto-enol and imine-enamine isomerizations. Valence tautomers include interconversions by reorganization of some of the bonding electrons.

Note that specifically included in the term “isomer” are compounds with one or more isotopic substitutions. For example, H may be in any isotopic form, including ¹H, ²H (D), and ³H (T); C may be in any isotopic form, including ¹²C, ¹³C, and ¹⁴C; O may be in any isotopic form, including ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O; and the like.

Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of the invention include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine, and chlorine, such as, but not limited to ²H (deuterium, D), ³H (tritium), ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸F, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl, and ¹²⁶I. Various isotopically labeled compounds of the present invention, for example those into which radioactive isotopes such as 3H, 13C, and 14C are incorporated. Such isotopically labelled compounds may be useful in metabolic studies, reaction kinetic studies, detection or imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) including drug or substrate tissue distribution assays, or in radioactive treatment of patients. Deuterium labelled or substituted therapeutic compounds of the invention may have improved DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) properties, relating to distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements. An 18F labeled compound may be useful for PET or SPECT studies. Isotopically labeled compounds of this invention and prodrugs thereof can generally be prepared by carrying out the procedures disclosed in the schemes or in the examples and preparations described below by substituting a readily available isotopically labeled reagent for a non-isotopically labeled reagent. Further, substitution with heavier isotopes, particularly deuterium (i.e., 2H or D) may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements or an improvement in therapeutic index. It is understood that deuterium in this context is regarded as a substituent. The concentration of such a heavier isotope, specifically deuterium, may be defined by an isotopic enrichment factor. In the compounds of this invention any atom not specifically designated as a particular isotope is meant to represent any stable isotope of that atom.

Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a particular compound includes all such isomeric forms, including (wholly or partially) racemic and other mixtures thereof. Methods for the preparation (e.g. asymmetric synthesis) and separation (e.g. fractional crystallisation and chromatographic means) of such isomeric forms are either known in the art or are readily obtained by adapting the methods taught herein, or known methods, in a known manner.

Biological Activity

In Vitro Cell Proliferation Assays

Generally, the cytotoxic or cytostatic activity of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is measured by: exposing mammalian cells having receptor proteins, e.g. HER2, to the antibody of the ADC in a cell culture medium; culturing the cells for a period from about 6 hours to about 5 days; and measuring cell viability. Cell-based in vitro assays are used to measure viability (proliferation), cytotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis (caspase activation) of an ADC of the invention.

The in vitro potency of antibody-drug conjugates can be measured by a cell proliferation assay. The CellTiter-Glo® Luminescent Cell Viability Assay is a commercially available (Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.), homogeneous assay method based on the recombinant expression of Coleoptera luciferase (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,583,024; 5,674,713 and 5,700,670). This cell proliferation assay determines the number of viable cells in culture based on quantitation of the ATP present, an indicator of metabolically active cells (Crouch et al (1993) J. Immunol. Meth. 160:81-88; U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,677). The CellTiter-Glo® Assay is conducted in 96 well format, making it amenable to automated high-throughput screening (HTS) (Cree et al (1995) AntiCancer Drugs 6:398-404). The homogeneous assay procedure involves adding the single reagent (CellTiter-Glo® Reagent) directly to cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium. Cell washing, removal of medium and multiple pipetting steps are not required. The system detects as few as 15 cells/well in a 384-well format in 10 minutes after adding reagent and mixing. The cells may be treated continuously with ADC, or they may be treated and separated from ADC. Generally, cells treated briefly, i.e. 3 hours, showed the same potency effects as continuously treated cells.

The homogeneous “add-mix-measure” format results in cell lysis and generation of a luminescent signal proportional to the amount of ATP present. The amount of ATP is directly proportional to the number of cells present in culture. The CellTiter-Glo® Assay generates a “glow-type” luminescent signal, produced by the luciferase reaction, which has a half-life generally greater than five hours, depending on cell type and medium used. Viable cells are reflected in relative luminescence units (RLU). The substrate, Beetle Luciferin, is oxidatively decarboxylated by recombinant firefly luciferase with concomitant conversion of ATP to AMP and generation of photons.

In Vivo Efficacy

The in vivo efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) of the invention can be measured by tumor xenograft studies in mice. For example, the in vivo efficacy of an anti-HER2 ADC of the invention can be measured by a high expressing HER2 transgenic explant mouse model. An allograft is propagated from the Fo5 mmtv transgenic mouse which does not respond to, or responds poorly to, HERCEPTIN® therapy. Subjects were treated once with ADC at certain dose levels (mg/kg) and PBD drug exposure (μg/m²); and placebo buffer control (Vehicle) and monitored over two weeks or more to measure the time to tumor doubling, log cell kill, and tumor shrinkage.

Use

The conjugates of the invention may be used to provide a PBD compound at a target location.

The target location is preferably a proliferative cell population. The antibody is an antibody for an antigen present in a proliferative cell population.

In one embodiment the antigen is absent or present at a reduced level in a non-proliferative cell population compared to the amount of antigen present in the proliferative cell population, for example a tumour cell population.

At the target location the linker may be cleaved so as to release a compound of formula (D). Thus, the conjugate may be used to selectively provide a compound of formula (D) to the target location.

The linker may be cleaved by an enzyme present at the target location.

The target location may be in vitro, in vivo or ex vivo.

The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) compounds of the invention include those with utility for anticancer activity. In particular, the compounds include an antibody conjugated, i.e. covalently attached by a linker, to a PBD drug moiety, i.e. toxin. When the drug is not conjugated to an antibody, the PBD drug has a cytotoxic effect. The biological activity of the PBD drug moiety is thus modulated by conjugation to an antibody. The antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) of the invention selectively deliver an effective dose of a cytotoxic agent to tumor tissue whereby greater selectivity, i.e. a lower efficacious dose, may be achieved.

Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a conjugate compound as described herein for use in therapy.

In a further aspect there is also provides a conjugate compound as described herein for use in the treatment of a proliferative disease. A second aspect of the present invention provides the use of a conjugate compound in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a proliferative disease.

One of ordinary skill in the art is readily able to determine whether or not a candidate conjugate treats a proliferative condition for any particular cell type. For example, assays which may conveniently be used to assess the activity offered by a particular compound are described in the examples below.

The term “proliferative disease” pertains to an unwanted or uncontrolled cellular proliferation of excessive or abnormal cells which is undesired, such as, neoplastic or hyperplastic growth, whether in vitro or in vivo.

Examples of proliferative conditions include, but are not limited to, benign, pre-malignant, and malignant cellular proliferation, including but not limited to, neoplasms and tumours (e.g. histocytoma, glioma, astrocyoma, osteoma), cancers (e.g. lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, bowel cancer, colon cancer, breast carinoma, ovarian carcinoma, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, pancreas cancer, brain cancer, sarcoma, osteosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma), leukemias, psoriasis, bone diseases, fibroproliferative disorders (e.g. of connective tissues), and atherosclerosis. Cancers of particular interest include, but are not limited to, leukemias and ovarian cancers.

Any type of cell may be treated, including but not limited to, lung, gastrointestinal (including, e.g. bowel, colon), breast (mammary), ovarian, prostate, liver (hepatic), kidney (renal), bladder, pancreas, brain, and skin.

In one embodiment, the treatment is of a pancreatic cancer.

In one embodiment, the treatment is of a tumour having α_(v)β₆ integrin on the surface of the cell.

It is contemplated that the antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) of the present invention may be used to treat various diseases or disorders, e.g. characterized by the overexpression of a tumor antigen. Exemplary conditions or hyperproliferative disorders include benign or malignant tumors; leukemia, haematological, and lymphoid malignancies. Others include neuronal, glial, astrocytal, hypothalamic, glandular, macrophagal, epithelial, stromal, blastocoelic, inflammatory, angiogenic and immunologic, including autoimmune, disorders.

Generally, the disease or disorder to be treated is a hyperproliferative disease such as cancer. Examples of cancer to be treated herein include, but are not limited to, carcinoma, lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, and leukemia or lymphoid malignancies. More particular examples of such cancers include squamous cell cancer (e.g. epithelial squamous cell cancer), lung cancer including small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung and squamous carcinoma of the lung, cancer of the peritoneum, hepatocellular cancer, gastric or stomach cancer including gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidney or renal cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer, hepatic carcinoma, anal carcinoma, penile carcinoma, as well as head and neck cancer.

Autoimmune diseases for which the ADC compounds may be used in treatment include rheumatologic disorders (such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, lupus such as SLE and lupus nephritis, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, cryoglobulinemia, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, and psoriatic arthritis), osteoarthritis, autoimmune gastrointestinal and liver disorders (such as, for example, inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and celiac disease), vasculitis (such as, for example, ANCA-associated vasculitis, including Churg-Strauss vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and polyarteriitis), autoimmune neurological disorders (such as, for example, multiple sclerosis, opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome, myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and autoimmune polyneuropathies), renal disorders (such as, for example, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, and Berger's disease), autoimmune dermatologic disorders (such as, for example, psoriasis, urticaria, hives, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, and cutaneous lupus erythematosus), hematologic disorders (such as, for example, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, post-transfusion purpura, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia), atherosclerosis, uveitis, autoimmune hearing diseases (such as, for example, inner ear disease and hearing loss), Behcet's disease, Raynaud's syndrome, organ transplant, and autoimmune endocrine disorders (such as, for example, diabetic-related autoimmune diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Addison's disease, and autoimmune thyroid disease (e.g. Graves' disease and thyroiditis)). More preferred such diseases include, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, Graves' disease, IDDM, pernicious anemia, thyroiditis, and glomerulonephritis.

Methods of Treatment

The conjugates of the present invention may be used in a method of therapy. Also provided is a method of treatment, comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically-effective amount of a conjugate compound of the invention. The term “therapeutically effective amount” is an amount sufficient to show benefit to a patient. Such benefit may be at least amelioration of at least one symptom. The actual amount administered, and rate and time-course of administration, will depend on the nature and severity of what is being treated. Prescription of treatment, e.g. decisions on dosage, is within the responsibility of general practitioners and other medical doctors.

A compound of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially dependent upon the condition to be treated. Examples of treatments and therapies include, but are not limited to, chemotherapy (the administration of active agents, including, e.g. drugs, such as chemotherapeutics); surgery; and radiation therapy.

A “chemotherapeutic agent” is a chemical compound useful in the treatment of cancer, regardless of mechanism of action. Classes of chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, spindle poison plant alkaloids, cytotoxic/antitumor antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors, antibodies, photosensitizers, and kinase inhibitors. Chemotherapeutic agents include compounds used in “targeted therapy” and conventional chemotherapy.

Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include: erlotinib (TARCEVA®, Genentech/OSI Pharm.), docetaxel (TAXOTERE®, Sanofi-Aventis), 5-FU (fluorouracil, 5-fluorouracil, CAS No. 51-21-8), gemcitabine (GEMZAR®, Lilly), PD-0325901 (CAS No. 391210-10-9, Pfizer), cisplatin (cis-diamine, dichloroplatinum(II), CAS No. 15663-27-1), carboplatin (CAS No. 41575-94-4), paclitaxel (TAXOL®, Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology, Princeton, N.J.), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®, Genentech), temozolomide (4-methyl-5-oxo-2,3,4,6,8-pentazabicyclo[4.3.0]nona-2,7,9-triene-9-carboxamide, CAS No. 85622-93-1, TEMODAR®, TEMODAL®, Schering Plough), tamoxifen ((Z)-2-[4-(1,2-diphenylbut-1-enyl)phenoxy]-N,N-dimethylethanamine, NOLVADEX®, ISTUBAL®, VALODEX®), and doxorubicin (ADRIAMYCIN®), Akti-1/2, HPPD, and rapamycin.

More examples of chemotherapeutic agents include: oxaliplatin (ELOXATIN®, Sanofi), bortezomib (VELCADE®, Millennium Pharm.), sutent (SUNITINIB®, SU11248, Pfizer), letrozole (FEMARA®, Novartis), imatinib mesylate (GLEEVEC®, Novartis), XL-518 (Mek inhibitor, Exelixis, WO 2007/044515), ARRY-886 (Mek inhibitor, AZD6244, Array BioPharma, Astra Zeneca), SF-1126 (PI3K inhibitor, Semafore Pharmaceuticals), BEZ-235 (PI3K inhibitor, Novartis), XL-147 (PI3K inhibitor, Exelixis), PTK787/ZK 222584 (Novartis), fulvestrant (FASLODEX®, AstraZeneca), leucovorin (folinic acid), rapamycin (sirolimus, RAPAMUNE®, Wyeth), lapatinib (TYKERB®, GSK572016, Glaxo Smith Kline), lonafarnib (SARASAR™, SCH 66336, Schering Plough), sorafenib (NEXAVAR®, BAY43-9006, Bayer Labs), gefitinib (IRESSA®, AstraZeneca), irinotecan (CAMPTOSAR®, CPT-11, Pfizer), tipifarnib (ZARNESTRA™, Johnson & Johnson), ABRAXANE™ (Cremophor-free), albumin-engineered nanoparticle formulations of paclitaxel (American Pharmaceutical Partners, Schaumberg, II), vandetanib (rINN, ZD6474, ZACTIMA®, AstraZeneca), chloranmbucil, AG1478, AG1571 (SU 5271; Sugen), temsirolimus (TORISEL®, Wyeth), pazopanib (GlaxoSmithKline), canfosfamide (TELCYTA®, Telik), thiotepa and cyclosphosphamide (CYTOXAN®, NEOSAR®); alkyl sulfonates such as busulfan, improsulfan and piposulfan; aziridines such as benzodopa, carboquone, meturedopa, and uredopa; ethylenimines and methylamelamines including altretamine, triethylenemelamine, triethylenephosphoramide, triethylenethiophosphoramide and trimethylomelamine; acetogenins (especially bullatacin and bullatacinone); a camptothecin (including the synthetic analog topotecan); bryostatin; callystatin; CC-1065 (including its adozelesin, carzelesin and bizelesin synthetic analogs); cryptophycins (particularly cryptophycin 1 and cryptophycin 8); dolastatin; duocarmycin (including the synthetic analogs, KW-2189 and CB1-TM1); eleutherobin; pancratistatin; a sarcodictyin; spongistatin; nitrogen mustards such as chlorambucil, chlornaphazine, chlorophosphamide, estramustine, ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride, melphalan, novembichin, phenesterine, prednimustine, trofosfamide, uracil mustard; nitrosoureas such as carmustine, chlorozotocin, fotemustine, lomustine, nimustine, and ranimnustine; antibiotics such as the enediyne antibiotics (e.g. calicheamicin, calicheamicin gamma1I, calicheamicin omegaI1 (Angew Chem. Intl. Ed. Engl. (1994) 33:183-186); dynemicin, dynemicin A; bisphosphonates, such as clodronate; an esperamicin; as well as neocarzinostatin chromophore and related chromoprotein enediyne antibiotic chromophores), aclacinomysins, actinomycin, authramycin, azaserine, bleomycins, cactinomycin, carabicin, carminomycin, carzinophilin, chromomycinis, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, detorubicin, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, morpholino-doxorubicin, cyanomorpholino-doxorubicin, 2-pyrrolino-doxorubicin and deoxydoxorubicin), epirubicin, esorubicin, idarubicin, nemorubicin, marcellomycin, mitomycins such as mitomycin C, mycophenolic acid, nogalamycin, olivomycins, peplomycin, porfiromycin, puromycin, quelamycin, rodorubicin, streptonigrin, streptozocin, tubercidin, ubenimex, zinostatin, zorubicin; anti-metabolites such as methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); folic acid analogs such as denopterin, methotrexate, pteropterin, trimetrexate; purine analogs such as fludarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, thiamiprine, thioguanine; pyrimidine analogs such as ancitabine, azacitidine, 6-azauridine, carmofur, cytarabine, dideoxyuridine, doxifluridine, enocitabine, floxuridine; androgens such as calusterone, dromostanolone propionate, epitiostanol, mepitiostane, testolactone; anti-adrenals such as aminoglutethimide, mitotane, trilostane; folic acid replenisher such as frolinic acid; aceglatone; aldophosphamide glycoside; aminolevulinic acid; eniluracil; amsacrine; bestrabucil; bisantrene; edatraxate; defofamine; demecolcine; diaziquone; elfornithine; elliptinium acetate; an epothilone; etoglucid; gallium nitrate; hydroxyurea; lentinan; lonidainine; maytansinoids such as maytansine and ansamitocins; mitoguazone; mitoxantrone; mopidanmol; nitraerine; pentostatin; phenamet; pirarubicin; losoxantrone; podophyllinic acid; 2-ethylhydrazide; procarbazine; PSK® polysaccharide complex (JHS Natural Products, Eugene, Oreg.); razoxane; rhizoxin; sizofiran; spirogermanium; tenuazonic acid; triaziquone; 2,2′,2″-trichlorotriethylamine; trichothecenes (especially T-2 toxin, verracurin A, roridin A and anguidine); urethan; vindesine; dacarbazine; mannomustine; mitobronitol; mitolactol; pipobroman; gacytosine; arabinoside (“Ara-C”); cyclophosphamide; thiotepa; 6-thioguanine; mercaptopurine; methotrexate; platinum analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin; vinblastine; etoposide (VP-16); ifosfamide; mitoxantrone; vincristine; vinorelbine (NAVELBINE®); novantrone; teniposide; edatrexate; daunomycin; aminopterin; capecitabine (XELODA®, Roche); ibandronate; CPT-11; topoisomerase inhibitor RFS 2000; difluoromethylornithine (DMFO); retinoids such as retinoic acid; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids and derivatives of any of the above.

Also included in the definition of “chemotherapeutic agent” are: (i) anti-hormonal agents that act to regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors such as anti-estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), including, for example, tamoxifen (including NOLVADEX®; tamoxifen citrate), raloxifene, droloxifene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, trioxifene, keoxifene, LY117018, onapristone, and FARESTON® (toremifine citrate); (ii) aromatase inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands, such as, for example, 4(5)-imidazoles, aminoglutethimide, MEGASE® (megestrol acetate), AROMASIN® (exemestane; Pfizer), formestanie, fadrozole, RIVISOR® (vorozole), FEMARA® (letrozole; Novartis), and ARIMIDEX® (anastrozole; AstraZeneca); (iii) anti-androgens such as flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, leuprolide, and goserelin; as well as troxacitabine (a 1,3-dioxolane nucleoside cytosine analog); (iv) protein kinase inhibitors such as MEK inhibitors (WO 2007/044515); (v) lipid kinase inhibitors; (vi) antisense oligonucleotides, particularly those which inhibit expression of genes in signaling pathways implicated in aberrant cell proliferation, for example, PKC-alpha, Raf and H-Ras, such as oblimersen (GENASENSE®, Genta Inc.); (vii) ribozymes such as VEGF expression inhibitors (e.g., ANGIOZYME®) and HER2 expression inhibitors; (viii) vaccines such as gene therapy vaccines, for example, ALLOVECTIN®, LEUVECTIN®, and VAXID®; PROLEUKIN® rIL-2; topoisomerase 1 inhibitors such as LURTOTECAN®; ABARELIX® rmRH; (ix) anti-angiogenic agents such as bevacizumab (AVASTIN®, Genentech); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids and derivatives of any of the above.

Also included in the definition of “chemotherapeutic agent” are therapeutic antibodies such as alemtuzumab (Campath), bevacizumab (AVASTIN®, Genentech); cetuximab (ERBITUX®, Imclone); panitumumab (VECTIBIX®, Amgen), rituximab (RITUXAN®, Genentech/Biogen Idec), pertuzumab (OMNITARG™, 2C4, Genentech), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®, Genentech), tositumomab (Bexxar, Corixia), and the antibody drug conjugate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (MYLOTARG®, Wyeth).

Humanized monoclonal antibodies with therapeutic potential as chemotherapeutic agents in combination with the conjugates of the invention include: alemtuzumab, apolizumab, aselizumab, atlizumab, bapineuzumab, bevacizumab, bivatuzumab mertansine, cantuzumab mertansine, cedelizumab, certolizumab pegol, cidfusituzumab, cidtuzumab, daclizumab, eculizumab, efalizumab, epratuzumab, erlizumab, felvizumab, fontolizumab, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, inotuzumab ozogamicin, ipilimumab, labetuzumab, lintuzumab, matuzumab, mepolizumab, motavizumab, motovizumab, natalizumab, nimotuzumab, nolovizumab, numavizumab, ocrelizumab, omalizumab, palivizumab, pascolizumab, pecfusituzumab, pectuzumab, pertuzumab, pexelizumab, ralivizumab, ranibizumab, reslivizumab, reslizumab, resyvizumab, rovelizumab, ruplizumab, sibrotuzumab, siplizumab, sontuzumab, tacatuzumab tetraxetan, tadocizumab, talizumab, tefibazumab, tocilizumab, toralizumab, trastuzumab, tucotuzumab celmoleukin, tucusituzumab, umavizumab, urtoxazumab, and visilizumab.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention, and for use in accordance with the present invention, may comprise, in addition to the active ingredient, i.e. a conjugate compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, buffer, stabiliser or other materials well known to those skilled in the art. Such materials should be non-toxic and should not interfere with the efficacy of the active ingredient. The precise nature of the carrier or other material will depend on the route of administration, which may be oral, or by injection, e.g. cutaneous, subcutaneous, or intravenous.

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration may be in tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form. A tablet may comprise a solid carrier or an adjuvant. Liquid pharmaceutical compositions generally comprise a liquid carrier such as water, petroleum, animal or vegetable oils, mineral oil or synthetic oil. Physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol may be included. A capsule may comprise a solid carrier such a gelatin.

For intravenous, cutaneous or subcutaneous injection, or injection at the site of affliction, the active ingredient will be in the form of a parenterally acceptable aqueous solution which is pyrogen-free and has suitable pH, isotonicity and stability. Those of relevant skill in the art are well able to prepare suitable solutions using, for example, isotonic vehicles such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection. Preservatives, stabilisers, buffers, antioxidants and/or other additives may be included, as required.

Formulations

While it is possible for the conjugate compound to be used (e.g., administered) alone, it is often preferable to present it as a composition or formulation.

In one embodiment, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition (e.g., formulation, preparation, medicament) comprising a conjugate compound, as described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient.

In one embodiment, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one conjugate compound, as described herein, together with one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients well known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients, adjuvants, fillers, buffers, preservatives, anti-oxidants, lubricants, stabilisers, solubilisers, surfactants (e.g., wetting agents), masking agents, colouring agents, flavouring agents, and sweetening agents.

In one embodiment, the composition further comprises other active agents, for example, other therapeutic or prophylactic agents.

Suitable carriers, diluents, excipients, etc. can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts. See, for example, Handbook of Pharmaceutical Additives, 2nd Edition (eds. M. Ash and I. Ash), 2001 (Synapse Information Resources, Inc., Endicott, N.Y., USA), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20th edition, pub. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000; and Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 2nd edition, 1994.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to methods of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing at least one [¹¹C]-radiolabelled conjugate or conjugate-like compound, as defined herein, together with one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., carriers, diluents, excipients, etc. If formulated as discrete units (e.g., tablets, etc.), each unit contains a predetermined amount (dosage) of the active compound.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable,” as used herein, pertains to compounds, ingredients, materials, compositions, dosage forms, etc., which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of the subject in question (e.g., human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each carrier, diluent, excipient, etc. must also be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.

The formulations may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing into association the active compound with a carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active compound with carriers (e.g., liquid carriers, finely divided solid carrier, etc.), and then shaping the product, if necessary.

The formulation may be prepared to provide for rapid or slow release; immediate, delayed, timed, or sustained release; or a combination thereof.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration (e.g., by injection), include aqueous or non-aqueous, isotonic, pyrogen-free, sterile liquids (e.g., solutions, suspensions), in which the active ingredient is dissolved, suspended, or otherwise provided (e.g., in a liposome or other microparticulate). Such liquids may additional contain other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients, such as anti-oxidants, buffers, preservatives, stabilisers, bacteriostats, suspending agents, thickening agents, and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood (or other relevant bodily fluid) of the intended recipient. Examples of excipients include, for example, water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils, and the like. Examples of suitable isotonic carriers for use in such formulations include Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Solution, or Lactated Ringer's Injection. Typically, the concentration of the active ingredient in the liquid is from about 1 ng/ml to about 10 μg/ml, for example from about 10 ng/ml to about 1 μg/ml. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, for example, ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules, and tablets.

Dosage

It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that appropriate dosages of the conjugate compound, and compositions comprising the conjugate compound, can vary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing of the level of therapeutic benefit against any risk or deleterious side effects. The selected dosage level will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the activity of the particular compound, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the compound, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, the severity of the condition, and the species, sex, age, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of the patient. The amount of compound and route of administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician, veterinarian, or clinician, although generally the dosage will be selected to achieve local concentrations at the site of action which achieve the desired effect without causing substantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.

Administration can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals) throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell(s) being treated, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician, veterinarian, or clinician.

In general, a suitable dose of the active compound is in the range of about 100 ng to about 25 mg (more typically about 1 μg to about 10 mg) per kilogram body weight of the subject per day. Where the active compound is a salt, an ester, an amide, a prodrug, or the like, the amount administered is calculated on the basis of the parent compound and so the actual weight to be used is increased proportionately.

In one embodiment, the active compound is administered to a human patient according to the following dosage regime: about 100 mg, 3 times daily.

In one embodiment, the active compound is administered to a human patient according to the following dosage regime: about 150 mg, 2 times daily.

In one embodiment, the active compound is administered to a human patient according to the following dosage regime: about 200 mg, 2 times daily.

However in one embodiment, the conjugate compound is administered to a human patient according to the following dosage regime: about 50 or about 75 mg, 3 or 4 times daily.

In one embodiment, the conjugate compound is administered to a human patient according to the following dosage regime: about 100 or about 125 mg, 2 times daily.

The dosage amounts described above may apply to the conjugate (including the PBD moiety and the linker to the antibody) or to the effective amount of PBD compound provided, for example the amount of compound that is releasable after cleavage of the linker.

For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate dosage of an ADC of the invention will depend on the type of disease to be treated, as defined above, the severity and course of the disease, whether the molecule is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the antibody, and the discretion of the attending physician. The molecule is suitably administered to the patient at one time or over a series of treatments. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, about 1 μg/kg to 15 mg/kg (e.g. 0.1-20 mg/kg) of molecule is an initial candidate dosage for administration to the patient, whether, for example, by one or more separate administrations, or by continuous infusion. A typical daily dosage might range from about 1 μg/kg to 100 mg/kg or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. An exemplary dosage of ADC to be administered to a patient is in the range of about 0.1 to about 10 mg/kg of patient weight. For repeated administrations over several days or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment is sustained until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. An exemplary dosing regimen comprises a course of administering an initial loading dose of about 4 mg/kg, followed by additional doses every week, two weeks, or three weeks of an ADC. Other dosage regimens may be useful. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays.

Treatment

The term “treatment,” as used herein in the context of treating a condition, pertains generally to treatment and therapy, whether of a human or an animal (e.g., in veterinary applications), in which some desired therapeutic effect is achieved, for example, the inhibition of the progress of the condition, and includes a reduction in the rate of progress, a halt in the rate of progress, regression of the condition, amelioration of the condition, and cure of the condition. Treatment as a prophylactic measure (i.e., prophylaxis, prevention) is also included.

The term “therapeutically-effective amount,” as used herein, pertains to that amount of an active compound, or a material, composition or dosage from comprising an active compound, which is effective for producing some desired therapeutic effect, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, when administered in accordance with a desired treatment regimen.

Similarly, the term “prophylactically-effective amount,” as used herein, pertains to that amount of an active compound, or a material, composition or dosage from comprising an active compound, which is effective for producing some desired prophylactic effect, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, when administered in accordance with a desired treatment regimen.

Preparation of Antibody Drug Conjugates

Antibody drug conjugates may be prepared by several routes, employing organic chemistry reactions, conditions, and reagents known to those skilled in the art, including: (1) reaction of a nucleophilic group or an electrophilic group of an antibody with a bivalent linker reagent, to form antibody-linker intermediate Ab-L, via a covalent bond, followed by reaction with an activated drug moiety reagent; and (2) reaction of a drug moiety reagent with a linker reagent, to form drug-linker reagent D-L, via a covalent bond, followed by reaction with the nucleophilic group or an electrophilic group of an antibody. Conjugation methods (1) and (2) may be employed with a variety of antibodies, and linkers to prepare the antibody-drug conjugates of the invention.

Nucleophilic groups on antibodies include, but are not limited to: (i)N-terminal amine groups, (ii) side chain amine groups, e.g. lysine, (iii) side chain thiol groups, e.g. cysteine, and (iv) sugar hydroxyl or amino groups where the antibody is glycosylated. Amine, thiol, and hydroxyl groups are nucleophilic and capable of reacting to form covalent bonds with electrophilic groups on linker moieties and linker reagents including: (i) active esters such as NHS esters, HOBt esters, haloformates, and acid halides; (ii) alkyl and benzyl halides such as haloacetamides; (iii) aldehydes, ketones, carboxyl, and maleimide groups. Certain antibodies have reducible interchain disulfides, i.e. cysteine bridges. Antibodies may be made reactive for conjugation with linker reagents by treatment with a reducing agent such as DTT (Cleland's reagent, dithiothreitol) or TCEP (tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride; Getz et al (1999) Anal. Biochem. Vol 273:73-80; Soltec Ventures, Beverly, Mass.). Each cysteine disulfide bridge will thus form, theoretically, two reactive thiol nucleophiles. Additional nucleophilic groups can be introduced into antibodies through the reaction of lysines with 2-iminothiolane (Traut's reagent) resulting in conversion of an amine into a thiol.

The Subject/Patient

The subject/patient may be an animal, mammal, a placental mammal, a marsupial (e.g., kangaroo, wombat), a monotreme (e.g., duckbilled platypus), a rodent (e.g., a guinea pig, a hamster, a rat, a mouse), murine (e.g., a mouse), a lagomorph (e.g., a rabbit), avian (e.g., a bird), canine (e.g., a dog), feline (e.g., a cat), equine (e.g., a horse), porcine (e.g., a pig), ovine (e.g., a sheep), bovine (e.g., a cow), a primate, simian (e.g., a monkey or ape), a monkey (e.g., marmoset, baboon), an ape (e.g., gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutang, gibbon), or a human.

Furthermore, the subject/patient may be any of its forms of development, for example, a foetus. In one preferred embodiment, the subject/patient is a human.

In one embodiment, the patient is a population where each patient has a tumour having α_(v)β₆ integrin on the surface of the cell.

General Synthetic Routes

The synthesis of PBD compounds containing two imine moieties is extensively discussed in the following references, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference:

a) WO 00/12508 (pages 14 to 30);

b) WO 2005/023814 (pages 3 to 10);

c) WO 2004/043963 (pages 28 to 29);

d) WO 2005/085251 (pages 30 to 39); and

e) WO 2011/130598 (pages 126 to 150).

Synthesis Route

The compounds of formula I may be synthesised from compounds of formula IP:

where R^(L-pre) represents a precursor to the group R^(L).

For example, when R^(L) is a group:

R^(L-pre) may be H-L¹-L²-C(═O)—*. The addition of G may be achieved by conventional means, with appropriate protection of the amine/amido functionality in the PBD rings as required.

Compounds of formula IP where R²⁰ is H, R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H and R^(11b) is OH may be synthesised from compounds of formula 2:

by superhydride reduction. This technique is suitable where the substituents can withstand the reduction conditions. Compounds of formula 2 may be synthesised according to the techniques described in WO 2011/130598 (pages 126 to 150), and also in co-pending PCT application PCT/US2012/59864, filed 12 Oct. 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Alternatively, compounds of formula IP where R²⁰ is H and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H may be synthesised by coupling compounds of formulae 3 and 4:

where Prot^(N) represents a nitrogen protecting group for synthesis, Hal is selected from I, Cl, and Br, and Prot^(O) represents an oxygen protecting group for synthesis, following by removal of the Prot^(O) group under standard conditions.

The coupling can be achieved, for example, in refluxing acetone with a base, such as K₂CO₃.

Compounds of formula 3 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 5:

By coupling a compound of Formula 6: Hal-R″-Q  Formula 6 where Q is selected from I, Cl, and Br, The reaction can be achieved, for example, in refluxing acetone with a base, such as K₂CO₃. An excess of the compound of Formula 6 is required to achieve the desired product.

The compound of formula 5 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 7:

where Prot^(Y′) is a protecting group for Y′ that is orthogonal to the other protecting groups in the compound. The synthesis is achieved by deprotection of Y′, under standard conditions.

The compound of formula 7 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 8:

by protecting the NH group with Prot^(N), under standard conditions.

The compound of formula 8 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 9:

by reductive amination.

The compound of formula 9 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 10:

by oxidation of the alcohol.

The compound of formula 10 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 11:

by deprotection of the OH group under standard conditions.

Compounds of Formula 11 where there is a double bond between C2′ and C3′ may be synthesised from compounds of formula 12:

by the palladium mediated coupling of the appropriate compound comprising —R¹². This coupling includes, but is not limited to: Suzuki couplings with an appropriate boron derivative; Heck coupling with alkenes, including acrylamides and acrylates; Stille couplings with organo tin reagents, such as alkyl tin reagents; Sonagishira couplings with alkynes; and hydride transfer using triethyl silanes.

The compound of formula 12 may be synthesised from a compound of Formula 13:

by triflation using triflic anhydride and anhydrous 2,6-lutidine or anhydrous 2,6-^(t)Bu-pyridine at a temperature of −35° C. or lower in a dry organic solvent under an inert atmosphere.

In the synthesis of compounds of Formula 11 where there is not a double bond between C2′ and C3′, the relevant R¹² may be introduced at this stage.

Compounds of formula 4 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 14:

where Prot^(Y) (is a protecting group for Y that is orthogonal to the other protecting groups in the compound. The synthesis is achieved by deprotection of Y, under standard conditions.

Compounds of formula 14 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 15:

by protecting the OH group with Prot^(O), under standard conditions.

Compounds of formula 15 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 16:

by oxidation. The oxidation may be carried out, for example, with Dess-Martin periodinane (or alternatively TPAP/NMO, TFAA/DMSO, SO₃. Pyridine complex/DMSO, PDC, PCC, BAIB/TEMPO or under Swern conditions).

Compounds of formula 16 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 17:

by deprotection of the OH group under standard conditions.

Compounds of formula 17 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 18:

by the coupling of a group Prot^(L-pre) under standard conditions, such as those described in WO 2005/023814.

Compounds of formula 18 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 19:

by reduction of the nitro group. The reduction can be achieved by standard means, for example with Zn dust with 5% formic acid in methanol.

Compounds of formula 19 where there is a double bond between C2 and C3 may be synthesised from compounds of formula 20:

by the palladium mediated coupling of the appropriate compound comprising —R². This coupling includes, but is not limited to: Suzuki couplings with an appropriate boron derivative; Heck coupling with alkenes, including acrylamides and acrylates; Stille couplings with organo tin reagents, such as alkyl tin reagents; Sonagishira couplings with alkynes; and hydride transfer using triethyl silanes.

Compounds of formula 20 may be synthesised from compounds of formula 21:

by triflation using triflic anhydride and anhydrous 2,6-lutidine or anhydrous 2,6-^(t)Bu-pyridine at a temperature of −35° C. or lower in a dry organic solvent under an inert atmosphere.

In the synthesis of compounds of Formula 19 where there is not a double bond between C2′ and C3′, the relevant R² may be introduced at this stage.

Compounds of formula IP where R²⁰ is H and R^(21a) and R^(21b) together form ═O may be synthesised by coupling compounds of formulae 22 and 4:

where Prot^(N-amin) represents a hemi-aminal nitrogen protecting group for synthesis.

The coupling can be achieved, for example, in refluxing acetone with a base, such as K₂CO₃.

Compounds of formula 22 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 23:

By coupling a compound of Formula 6: Hal-R″-Q  Formula 6

The reaction can be achieved, for example, in refluxing acetone with a base, such as K₂CO₃. An excess of the compound of Formula 6 is required to achieve the desired product.

Compounds of formula 23 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 24:

by deprotection of Y′, under standard conditions.

Compounds of formula 24 where there is a double bond between C2′ and C3′ can be synthesised from compounds of formula 25:

by the palladium mediated coupling of the appropriate compound comprising —R¹² (as described above).

Compounds of formula 25 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 26:

by triflation. This may be carried out with the conditions described above, or with standard conditions.

Compounds of formula 26 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 27:

by oxidation of the alcohol group.

Compounds of formula 27 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 28:

by removal of the Prot^(O) group, which group is a alcohol protecting group orthogonal to the other protecting groups in the compound.

Compounds of formula 28 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 29:

by protection of the amine with an hemi-aminal nitrogen protecting group.

Compounds of formula 29 can be synthesised from compounds of formula 30:

by reduction of the ester functionality by hydrogen and Pd/C to achieve ring closure.

Compounds of formula 29 can be synthesised by coupling compounds of formulae 31 and 32:

under amide coupling conditions.

In the synthesis of compounds of Formula 24 where there is not a double bond between C2′ and C3′, the relevant R² may be introduced at this stage.

Further Preferences

The following preferences may apply to all aspects of the invention as described above, or may relate to a single aspect. The preferences may be combined together in any combination.

In some embodiments, R^(6′), R^(7′), R^(9′), and Y′ are preferably the same as R⁶, R⁷, R⁹, and Y respectively.

Dimer Link

Y and Y′ are preferably O.

R″ is preferably a C₃₋₇ alkylene group with no substituents. More preferably R″ is a C₃, C₅ or C₇ alkylene. Most preferably, R″ is a C₃ or C₅ alkylene.

R⁶ to R⁹

R⁹ is preferably H.

R⁶ is preferably selected from H, OH, OR, SH, NH₂, nitro and halo, and is more preferably H or halo, and most preferably is H.

R⁷ is preferably selected from H, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NRR′, and halo, and more preferably independently selected from H, OH and OR, where R is preferably selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₁₀ heterocyclyl and C₅₋₁₀ aryl groups. R may be more preferably a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, which may or may not be substituted. A substituent of interest is a C₅₋₆ aryl group (e.g. phenyl). Particularly preferred substituents at the 7-positions are OMe and OCH₂Ph. Other substituents of particular interest are dimethylamino (i.e. —NMe₂); —(OC₂H₄)_(q)OMe, where q is from 0 to 2; nitrogen-containing C₆ heterocyclyls, including morpholino, piperidinyl and N-methyl-piperazinyl.

These preferences apply to R^(9′), R^(6′) and R^(7′) respectively.

R¹²

When there is a double bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is selected from:

(a) C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group comprising: halo, nitro, cyano, ether, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene;

(b) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl;

(c) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

(d)

wherein each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5; (e)

wherein one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and (f)

where R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl.

When R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, it may be a C₅₋₇ aryl group. A C₅₋₇ aryl group may be a phenyl group or a C₅₋₇ heteroaryl group, for example furanyl, thiophenyl and pyridyl. In some embodiments, R¹² is preferably phenyl. In other embodiments, R¹² is preferably thiophenyl, for example, thiophen-2-yl and thiophen-3-yl.

When R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, it may be a C₈₋₁₀ aryl, for example a quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl group. The quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl group may be bound to the PBD core through any available ring position. For example, the quinolinyl may be quinolin-2-yl, quinolin-3-yl, quinolin-4yl, quinolin-5-yl, quinolin-6-yl, quinolin-7-yl and quinolin-8-yl. Of these quinolin-3-yl and quinolin-6-yl may be preferred. The isoquinolinyl may be isoquinolin-1-yl, isoquinolin-3-yl, isoquinolin-4yl, isoquinolin-5-yl, isoquinolin-6-yl, isoquinolin-7-yl and isoquinolin-8-yl. Of these isoquinolin-3-yl and isoquinolin-6-yl may be preferred.

When R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group, it may bear any number of substituent groups. It preferably bears from 1 to 3 substituent groups, with 1 and 2 being more preferred, and singly substituted groups being most preferred. The substituents may be any position.

Where R¹² is C₅₋₇ aryl group, a single substituent is preferably on a ring atom that is not adjacent the bond to the remainder of the compound, i.e. it is preferably β or γ to the bond to the remainder of the compound. Therefore, where the C₅₋₇ aryl group is phenyl, the substituent is preferably in the meta- or para-positions, and more preferably is in the para-position.

Where R¹² is a C₈₋₁₀ aryl group, for example quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl, it may bear any number of substituents at any position of the quinoline or isoquinoline rings. In some embodiments, it bears one, two or three substituents, and these may be on either the proximal and distal rings or both (if more than one substituent).

R¹² Substituents, when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ Aryl Group

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is halo, it is preferably F or Cl, more preferably Cl.

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is ether, it may in some embodiments be an alkoxy group, for example, a C₁₋₇ alkoxy group (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy) or it may in some embodiments be a C₅₋₇ aryloxy group (e.g phenoxy, pyridyloxy, furanyloxy). The alkoxy group may itself be further substituted, for example by an amino group (e.g. dimethylamino).

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is C₁₋₇ alkyl, it may preferably be a C₁₋₄ alkyl group (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propryl, butyl).

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl, it may in some embodiments be C₆ nitrogen containing heterocyclyl group, e.g. morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperidinyl, piperazinyl. These groups may be bound to the rest of the PBD moiety via the nitrogen atom. These groups may be further substituted, for example, by C₁₋₄ alkyl groups. If the C₆ nitrogen containing heterocyclyl group is piperazinyl, the said further substituent may be on the second nitrogen ring atom.

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene, this is preferably bis-oxy-methylene or bis-oxy-ethylene.

If a substituent on R¹² when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group is ester, this is preferably methyl ester or ethyl ester.

Particularly preferred substituents when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group include methoxy, ethoxy, fluoro, chloro, cyano, bis-oxy-methylene, methyl-piperazinyl, morpholino and methyl-thiophenyl. Other particularly preferred substituent for R¹² are dimethylaminopropyloxy and carboxy.

Particularly preferred substituted R¹² groups when R¹² is a C₅₋₁₀ aryl group include, but are not limited to, 4-methoxy-phenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-ethoxy-phenyl, 3-ethoxy-phenyl, 4-fluoro-phenyl, 4-chloro-phenyl, 3,4-bisoxymethylene-phenyl, 4-methylthiophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, quinolin-3-yl and quinolin-6-yl, isoquinolin-3-yl and isoquinolin-6-yl, 2-thienyl, 2-furanyl, methoxynaphthyl, and naphthyl. Another possible substituted R¹² group is 4-nitrophenyl. R¹² groups of particular interest include 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl and 3,4-bisoxymethylene-phenyl.

When R¹² is C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl, it may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or pentyl. In some embodiments, it may be methyl, ethyl or propyl (n-pentyl or isopropyl). In some of these embodiments, it may be methyl. In other embodiments, it may be butyl or pentyl, which may be linear or branched.

When R¹² is C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl, it may be cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. In some embodiments, it may be cyclopropyl.

When R¹² is

each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5. In some embodiments, the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 4 or no more than 3.

In some embodiments, one of R²¹, R²² and R²³ is H, with the other two groups being selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl.

In other embodiments, two of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are H, with the other group being selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl.

In some embodiments, the groups that are not H are selected from methyl and ethyl. In some of these embodiments, the groups that re not H are methyl.

In some embodiments, R²¹ is H.

In some embodiments, R²² is H.

In some embodiments, R²³ is H.

In some embodiments, R²¹ and R²² are H.

In some embodiments, R²¹ and R²³ are H.

In some embodiments, R²² and R²³ are H.

An R¹² group of particular interest is:

When R¹² is

one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl. In some embodiments, the group which is not H is optionally substituted phenyl. If the phenyl optional substituent is halo, it is preferably fluoro. In some embodiment, the phenyl group is unsubstituted.

When R¹² is

R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl. If the phenyl optional substituent is halo, it is preferably fluoro. In some embodiment, the phenyl group is unsubstituted.

In some embodiments, R²⁴ is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, ethenyl and ethynyl. In some of these embodiments, R²⁴ is selected from H and methyl.

When there is a single bond present between C2′ and C3′,

R¹² is

where R^(26a) and R^(26b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester.

In some embodiments, it is preferred that R^(26a) and R^(26b) are both H.

In other embodiments, it is preferred that R^(26a) and R^(26b) are both methyl.

In further embodiments, it is preferred that one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, and the other is selected from C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted. In these further embodiment, it may be further preferred that the group which is not H is selected from methyl and ethyl.

R²

The above preferences for R¹² apply equally to R².

R²⁰, R^(21a), R^(21b)

In some embodiments, R²⁰ is H and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H. Alternatively, R²⁰ may be Me when R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H.

In some embodiments, R²⁰ is H and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are together form ═O. Alternatively, R²⁰ may be Me when R^(21a) and R^(21b) together form ═O.

R^(11b)

In some embodiments, R^(11b) is OH.

In some embodiments, R^(11b) is OR^(A). In some of these embodiments, R^(A) is methyl.

In some embodiments, R^(11b) is selected from OH, OR^(A), where R^(A) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and SO_(z)M, where z is 2 or 3 and M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

M and z

It is preferred that M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation, and is more preferably Na⁺.

z is preferably 3.

Particularly preferred compounds of the first aspect of the present invention may be of formulae 1a-1 or 1a-2:

where R^(L) is as defined above; n is 1 or 3; R^(1a) is methyl or phenyl; and R^(2a) is selected from:

Particularly preferred compounds of the first aspect of the present invention may be of formulae 1 b-1 or 1b-2:

where R^(L) is as defined above; n is 1 or 3; and R^(1a) is methyl or phenyl. Illustrative Synthetic Schemes

The following schemes illustrate a way of making certain compounds of the present invention, in which certain groups are illustrated generically as R, R′ and R₂. The groups of which these form a part should be interpreted in accordance with the disclosure of the invention. In schemes where protecting groups are explicitly described, these may also be varied within the scope of the present invention.

Linear Synthetic Strategy

Convergent Synthetic Strategy

Dilactam Synthetic Strategy

ABBREVIATIONS

-   Ac acetyl -   Acm acetamidomethyl -   Alloc allyloxycarbonyl -   Boc di-tert-butyl dicarbonate -   t-Bu tert-butyl -   Bzl benzyl, where Bzl-OMe is methoxybenzyl and Bzl-Me is     methylbenzene -   Cbz or Z benzyloxy-carbonyl, where Z—Cl and Z—Br are chloro- and     bromobenzyloxy carbonyl respectively -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide -   Dnp dinitrophenyl -   DTT dithiothreitol -   Fmoc 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl -   imp N-10 imine protecting group:     3-(2-methoxyethoxyl)propanoate-Val-Ala-PAB -   MC-OSu maleimidocaproyl-O—N-succinimide -   Moc methoxycarbonyl -   MP maleimidopropanamide -   Mtr 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethtylbenzenesulfonyl -   PAB para-aminobenzyloxycarbonyl -   PEG ethyleneoxy -   PNZ p-nitrobenzyl carbamate -   Psec 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl -   TBDMS tert-butyldimethylsilyl -   TBDPS tert-butyldiphenylsilyl -   Teoc 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxycarbonyl -   Tos tosyl -   Troc 2,2,2-trichlorethoxycarbonyl chloride -   Trt trityl -   Xan xanthyl

REFERENCES

The following references are incorporated by reference in their entirety:

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The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound with the formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: when there is a double bond present between C2 and C3, R² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl, or C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R^(13a), R^(13b) and R^(13c) are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(15a) and R^(15b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R¹⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2 and C3, R² is

where R^(16a) and R^(16b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(16a) and R^(16b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; when there is a double bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl or C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocycloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, carboxy, ester, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is

where R^(26a) and R^(26b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; R⁶ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; where R and R′ are independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl and C₅₋₂₀ aryl groups; R⁷ is selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NHRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; R″ is a C₃₋₁₂ alkylene group, which chain is interrupted by one or more aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of benzene and pyridine; Y and Y′ are selected from O, S, or NH; R^(6′), R^(7′), R^(9′) are selected from the same groups as R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ respectively; R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H or together form ═O; R_(L) is the group

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10 position, G¹ is a functional group to form a connection to a cell binding agent, L¹ is a linker, L² is a covalent bond or together with —OC(═O)— forms a self-immolative linker, and L¹ or L² is a cleavable linker; R^(11b) is selected from OH, OR^(A), where R^(A) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and SO_(z)M, where z is 2 or 3 and M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation; the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocycloxy contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; the heteroaryl group in C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁷ is a C₁₋₄ alkyloxy group.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Y is O, and R″ is C₃₋₇alkylene.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁶ and R⁹ are H.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein there is a double bond between C2′ and C3′, and R¹² is: (a) a C₅₋₇ aryl group, which may bear one to three substituent groups selected from methoxy, ethoxy, fluoro, chloro, cyano, bis-oxy-methylene, methyl-piperazinyl, morpholino and methyl-thiophenyl; or (b) methyl, ethyl or propyl; or (c) cyclopropyl; (d) a group of formula:

wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the R12 group is no more than 4; or (e) the group;

or (f) a group of formula:

wherein R²⁴ is selected from H and methyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein there is a single bond between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is

and: (a) R^(26a) and R^(26b) are both H; or (b) R^(26a) and R^(26b) are both methyl; or (c) one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, and the other is selected from C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein there is a double bond between C2 and C3, and R² is (a) a C₅₋₇ aryl group, which may bears one to three substituent groups selected from methoxy, ethoxy, fluoro, chloro, cyano, bis-oxy-methylene, methyl-piperazinyl, morpholino and methyl-thiophenyl; or (b) methyl, ethyl or propyl; or (c) cyclopropyl; or (d) a group of formula:

wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the R2 group is no more than 4; or

or

wherein R¹⁴ is selected from H and methyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein there is a single bond between C2 and C3, R² is

and: (a) R^(16a) and R^(16b) are both H; or (b) R^(16a) and R^(16b) are both methyl; or (c) one of R^(16a) and R^(16b) is H, and the other is selected from C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H.
 10. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) together form ═O.
 11. A compound according to claim 9, wherein R²⁰ is H.
 12. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R^(11b) is OH.
 13. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R^(11b) is OR^(A).
 14. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R^(11b) is SO_(z)M.
 15. A compound according to claim 14, wherein M is Na⁺ and z is
 3. 16. A conjugate comprising a compound of formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, linked to a targeting agent.
 17. A conjugate of formula IV: L-(R^(L)′-D)_(p)  (IV) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein L-R^(L)′ is the group:

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10 position, CBA is an antibody or antibody fragment, L¹ is a linker, A is a connecting group connecting L¹ to the antibody or antibody fragment, L² is a covalent bond or together with —OC(═O)— forms a self-immolative linker, and L¹ or L² is a cleavable linker; and D is of formula II:

where the wavy line indicates the attachment point of R^(L)′, when there is a double bond present between C2 and C3, R² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl or C₅₋₁₀heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocycloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl, and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R^(13a), R^(13b) and R^(13c) are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(15a) and R^(15b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R¹⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2 and C3, R² is

where R^(16a) and R^(16b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(16a) and R^(16b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; when there is a double bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl or C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, carboxy, —C(═O)OC₁₋₇alkyl, —C(═O)OC₃₋₂₀heterocyclyl, —C(═O)O₅₋₂₀aryl, C₁₋₇alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is

where R^(26a) and R^(26b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; R⁶ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; where R and R′ are independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl and C₅₋₂₀ aryl groups; wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; R⁷ is selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NHRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; R″ is a C₃₋₁₂ alkylene group, which chain is interrupted by one or more aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of benzene and pyridine; Y and Y′ are selected from O, S, or NH; R^(6′), R^(7′), R^(9′) are selected from the same groups as R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ respectively; R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H or together form ═O; R^(11b) is selected from OH, OR^(A), where R^(A) is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and SO_(z)M, where z is 2 or 3 and M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation; wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocycloxy contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; wherein the heteroaryl group in C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; wherein the heterocyclyl group in —C(═O)OC₃₋₂₀heterocyclyl contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.
 18. The conjugate according to claim 17, wherein L-R^(L′) is a group:

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10 position, CBA is an antibody or antibody fragment, L¹ is a cleavable linker comprises a dipeptide and the group —X₁—X₂— in dipeptide, —NH—X₁—X₂—CO—, is selected from: -Phe-Lys-, -Val-Ala-, -Val-Lys-, -Ala-Lys-, -Val-Cit-, -Phe-Cit-, -Leu-Cit-, -Ile-Cit-, -Phe-Arg-, -Trp-Cit-, A is a connecting group connecting L¹ to the cell binding agent, L² is a covalent bond or together with —OC(═O)— forms a self-immolative linker.
 19. The conjugate according to claim 18, wherein C(═O)O and L² together form the group:

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to the N10 position, the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the linker L¹, Y is NH, O, C(═O)NH or C(═O)O, and n is 0 to
 3. 20. The conjugate according to claim 18, wherein A is:

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding agent, and n is 0 to 6; or

where the asterisk indicates the point of attachment to L¹, the wavy line indicates the point of attachment to the cell binding agent, n is 0 or 1, and m is 0 to
 30. 21. The conjugate according to claim 16, wherein the cell binding agent of R¹⁰ is an antibody or an active fragment thereof.
 22. The conjugate according to claim 21, wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is an antibody or antibody fragment for a tumour-associated antigen.
 23. A compound of formula A:

and salts thereof, wherein when there is a double bond present between C2 and C3, R² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl or C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R^(13a), R^(13b) and R^(13c) are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(15a) and R^(15b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R¹⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2 and C3, R² is

where R^(16a) and R^(16b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(16a) and R^(16b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; when there is a double bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is selected from the group consisting of: (ia) phenyl, naphthyl, azulenyl or C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₇ alkoxy, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy, C₅₋₂₀ aryloxy, carboxy, —C(═O)OC₁₋₇alkyl, —C(═O)OC₃₋₂₀heterocyclyl, —C(═O)OC₅₋₂₀aryl, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl and bis-oxy-C₁₋₃ alkylene; (ib) C₁₋₅ saturated aliphatic alkyl; (ic) C₃₋₆ saturated cycloalkyl;

wherein each of R²¹, R²² and R²³ are independently selected from H, C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, C₂₋₃ alkynyl and cyclopropyl, where the total number of carbon atoms in the R¹² group is no more than 5;

wherein one of R^(25a) and R^(25b) is H and the other is selected from: phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; and

where R²⁴ is selected from: H; C₁₋₃ saturated alkyl; C₂₋₃ alkenyl; C₂₋₃ alkynyl; cyclopropyl; phenyl, which phenyl is optionally substituted by a group selected from halo, methyl, methoxy; pyridyl; and thiophenyl; when there is a single bond present between C2′ and C3′, R¹² is

where R^(26a) and R^(26b) are independently selected from H, F, C₁₋₄ saturated alkyl, C₂₋₃ alkenyl, which alkyl and alkenyl groups are optionally substituted by a group selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl amido and C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; or, when one of R^(26a) and R^(26b) is H, the other is selected from nitrile and a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester; R⁶ and R⁹ are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; where R and R′ are independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyl and C₅₋₂₀ aryl groups; wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; R⁷ is selected from H, R, OH, OR, SH, SR NH₂, NHR, NHRR′, nitro, Me₃Sn and halo; R″ is a C₃₋₁₂ alkylene group, which chain is interrupted by one or more aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of benzene and pyridine; Y and Y′ are selected from O, S, or NH; R^(6′), R^(7′), R^(9′) are selected from the same groups as R⁶, R⁷ and R⁹ respectively; R²⁰ is H or Me and R^(21a) and R^(21b) are both H or together form ═O; wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₂₀ heterocyclyloxy contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; wherein the heteroaryl group in C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; wherein the heterocyclyl group in —C(═O)OC₃₋₂₀heterocyclyl contains 1 to 10 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and wherein the heterocyclyl group in C₃₋₇ heterocyclyl contains 1 to 4 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S. 